RCCPL Private Limited, Maihar (MP Birla Group), organized Prathamahar (first meal) for children of Bharauli and Lohi villages in Maihar area in July 2022.
The Sarpanch of Lohi village, Mamta Chaturvedi, fed kheer to 592 children, starting their first solid meal. Sets of thali, plate, glass, bowl and spoon were provided. It was explained that after nine months, children should be given food in a separate plate.
A healthy baby competition was organized for the participants. Shubham Dubey
and his mother were rewarded. Firefighters, health workers and assistants contributed to the success of the programme, with enthusiastic participation by villagers, particularly women.
RCCPL Private Limited, Maihar (MP Birla Group), had started Prathamahar in April 2017. The programme is run in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development at the anganwadis at Bharauli, Ithara, Kherwakala, Bhaisasur, Sadhera, Barroh, Srinagar, Shantipur and Salia villages. Children (six-seven months) are given their first solid food, known as Prathmahar, at the anganwadis.
Their parents are updated about child hygiene. The stress is on breastfeeding for the first six months, and then semi-solid food and mashed food are to be given, along with breastfeeding. The weight of children is monitored and they are helped in developing hygienic habits. RCCPL runs its Prathmahar programme in tandem with its Arogya Sakhi health project.