The women of Sakhi Mandal in support of the livelihood mission are supplying nutritious take-home-ration to Anganwadi Centres in urban and rural areas. In the Ranchi district, the take-home-ration was distributed among 1800 beneficiaries across 33 urban Anganwadi Centres on January 4.
At Anganwadi Centres located in Hindpiri, Bariatu, Hotwar, Pandra, Raru, the supply work was carried out by women from Nagri, Angada and Namkum Sakhi Mandal as well as village organisation and cluster federation. The supply for the month of December has been completed in about 100 rural and 33 urban centres.
About 4665 Sakhi Mandals and village organisations have tagged around 38472 Anganwadi Centres across the State. This initiative of the government will not just provide an additional income to the rural women, but it will also ensure that children between 6 to 36 months, pregnant and lactating women and severely malnourished children benefit from the ration available at Anganwadi Centres.
Out of a total of 38472 Anganwadi Centres across the State, more than 37000 centres have been supplied with the take home ration for the month of November.
Surajmani Toppo who reached the Anganwadi Centre in Hindpiri to supply feels that the take home ration is not benefiting pregnant, lactating women and children but is also a new way of livelihood for rural women. “Initially when this work started, we believed that with this we will be able to fulfill our social responsibility towards our sisters and children who will now get proper and good quality food on time,” she said.
Toppo further added that right from purchasing the material to packing it, the organinsation has also earned some money.
Sangeeta Munda from Hatia Anganwadi Centre said that the beneficiaries used to question the quality of ready to eat food distributed earlier but the new system started last month is getting good response.
Amaritu Manjari who reached a centre with her two- year old child said, “We never liked the taste of oatmeal given earlier. But now rice, dals, potatoes and peanuts are not only nutritional but also suit our taste buds. We have faith in the ration packed by the women of Sakhi Mandal. The quantity and quality of food packed is also of high standard,”
Badunisha Begum from Hindpiri also praised the nutritious diet provided. “We are very happy with the nutritious food being given by Sakhi Mandal. Since the women have started distributing the ration, we have been getting it regularly every month. Since our sisters are distributing the nutritious food, there is no question about the lack of quantity or quality.”