HC Judge attributes malnutrition, rising cases of school drop-outs to poverty

HC Judge attributes malnutrition, rising cases of school drop-outs to poverty

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 6, 2014:  Justice N.K.Patil, Karnataka High Court Judge inaugurated an Awareness Assistance (Arivu Neravu) Workshop on Malnutrition and  re-enrolling drop-outs to school at a the Rosario Church Hall on July 5, Saturday.

In his inaugural address, Justice Patil said safeguarding the interests of the children was the responsibility of each and every one in the society. Continuing, he said poverty  of families  has greatly affected the health of the children in such families.  Children also drop out of school owing to poverty at home, he said.

 

 

 

 

 

Karnataka High Court judge Justice KL Manjunath  who also spoke, said the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Mangalore in 2014 has increased to 2,583 when compared to 1896 children in 2010. Most of the children suffering from malnutrition are from families which migrate in search of work and are construction workers.

Dr. K Bhakthavatsala, High Court Judge, presided over the function. L Narayana Swamy, Administrative Judge, A.B. Ibrahim, Deputy commissioner also spoke on the occasion.Uma M G, District and Sessions Judge, Mangalore senior civil judge N S Patil, senior Civil Judge,  Dr Rukmini, N Shivaprasad, Ashok Ariga, and Getrude Veigas, resource persons were also present.

 

 

Wholesome development of children is the responsibility of civil society

UDUPI, July 6, 2014: He was speaking after inaugurating the one-day workshop on integrated project plan against curbing malnutrition among children and bringing back the dropouts to the school jointly organised by Karnataka State Legal Services Authority, Udupi District Legal Services Authority, Women and Child Welfare Department, Udupi district, Public Instruction Department, Udupi, Udupi District Health and Family Welfare Department and Udupi Bar Association. Karnataka High Court Judge and Karnataka State Legal Services Authority Executive Chairman N K Patil said that the society as a whole should be responsible for an all round growth of  children.

 The judge said the nation needs a strong and healthy population in the future for growth at the global arena. The committee formed under his leadership following the High Court’s decision to consider malnutrition problem that had massively affected Devadurga village in Raichur district, has toured all villages in districts of the State before recommending a comprehensive plan to eradicate the malnutrition problem among children in 2012.

Karnataka High Court Judge K L Manjunath said besides parents, government should also take measures to ensure a healthy diet for the children. Anganawadi workers play a major role in preventing malnutrition problems.

DC Dr.Muddu Mohan said out of 60,000 children in the district, only 355 are suffering from malnutrition problem. However, two months ago, the number was 578. The number at present is reduced following the efforts from the district authorities to improve diets. There are 1,146 anganawadi centers in the district.

There are also Anganawadi day care centers for girls. Plans have been chalked out to set up juvenile home shortly, he added. He said utmost attention should be paid for the girl child from her childhood by providing her nutritious food, as she will be the person who gives birth to the lives.

Karnataka High Court Justice L Narayanaswami said that combating the malnutrition problem is a huge challenge before the nation. Malnutrition problem is one among many problems that are a threat. Nearly 42 per cent of the total Indian population suffers from malnutrition and poverty. As per the WHO report, one among every hundred kids malnourished is in India.