KHUSHI IS 5 YEARS OLD TODAY - CELEBRATING CARE FOR THE DEPRIVED CHILDREN

We are very proud to inform you that the Campaign “KHUSHI” that we started on 10^th April, 2012 is 5 years old today. During these years, we have organized several online discussions/debate, ground level workshops with street children, Awards and “KHUSHI” Walk and also direct interaction with thousands of school children to sensitize them about Care for the Deprived Children – their Nutrition, Education & Health.

Our “KHUSHI” Film ‘Humko Mann Ki Shakti Dena’ has been viewed by more than 7.6 million people across the globe – reaching to over 2 crore people, over 200,000 shares, 100,000 likes and 2000 comments. Here, today we celebrate the “KHUSHI” Day with our more than 225,000 followers.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - TIMES OF INDIA - ONLY 3% UNDER-5 KIDS ON PROPER DIET

Rosamma Thomas I TNN I April 7, 2017 I Jaipur

As Rajasthan celebrates the World Health Day on Friday, malnourishment among children has cropped up as a big problem area that needs to be addressed without any delay.

To mark the occasion, the NGO, Child Rights and You (CRY), released data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2016-17) (see graphic) in which the state has emerged as a definite laggard, with only 3% of the under-five children receiving "adequate diet", defined as breast-fed kids receiving a minimum of three feeds and others getting milk or milk products at least twice a day.

One study shows that malnutrition is so widespread that mothers have failed to recognize it.

In early 2015, after screening 12 lakh children, the government had identified over 4,000 of them as 'severely acutely malnourished' (SAM).

A rapid survey by the women and child development department and UNICEF found over 35% of the under-five children as malnourished, with the largest number reported from Baran, among Sahariya tribals.

In a paper published in Economic and Political Weekly (EPW) in August last year, Pavitra Mohan, Kumaril Agarwal and Priyanka Jain pointed to the "normalization" of malnutrition in Rajasthan. Over 60% of the mothers who claimed their children were normal were wrong as their kids were malnourished.

Economist and Nobel Prize winner Angus Deaton has pointed to poor sanitation and infections as eroding nutrition levels in India.

Besides, the children's diet lacks protein and fat. Malnutrition leaves them vulnerable to disease and early death. According to NFHS data, 41 babies from every lakh die in the state and 51 do not survive beyond the age of five.

The EPW paper, based on research done in the southern districts of Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banwara and Rajsamand, with a high tribal population prone to out-migration, showed that about 20% of the mothers from nearly 500 households surveyed reported the loss of a child.

The authors found that "only about 28% of the children consumed milk. Almost none of them had consumed egg, meat or fish over the last 24 hours. Fewer than 10% reported consuming appropriate and nutritional food items such as 'daliya' (porridge), rice, pulses and vegetables or fruits, and even those had it in small quantities. A significant proportion of children were given tea, biscuits and and 'namkeen' (fried snacks)". One mother reported that she only bought milk when the child fell sick. "Otherwise, we cannot afford milk."

Fifty-eight per cent of the mothers studied by the EPW authors were malnourished as well, struggling to cope with the heavy demands of motherhood and housework.

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Trupti Rane of CRY said, "Malnourishment in early years is directly linked to maternal health. Poorly nourished, expecting and lactating mothers pass on their deficiencies to the child. Having newborns breastfed within the first hour of birth is critical for baby nutrition. Colostrum (the first milk of the mother), extremely rich in nutrients and antibodies, ensures basic nutrition and immunization. Universalization of anganwadi centres and robust growth monitoring measures can lead to a lasting solution of this issue."

The article also pointed to the failure of government provisioning - only a fourth of the people studied sought healthcare from a public facility.

"Nutritional support offered by PDS remains low, both due to poor functioning and the scheme being limited to grains and sugar (with no pulses or oil)," the authors note. Only 3.6% of women reported working under the MGNREGA scheme.

Chhaya Pachauli of NGO Prayas said, "Both public health and ICDS infrastructure are in awful shape. Outreach services and counselling which could go a long way in preventing malnutrition are hardly prioritized. Government may introduce endless schemes, but until there's a boost in budget for health and nutrition, not much improvement can be expected. Efforts to strengthen health, nutrition, sanitation and PDS need to go hand in hand."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/only-3-under-5-kids-on-proper-diet/articleshow/58057402.cms

VEDANTA KHUSHI - THE LITTLE SPARROWS OF “KHUSHI” ANGANWADI CENTRES ARE BACK

Care for the underprivileged children is very close to the heart of Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group. “No child in India should remain malnourished and be deprived of nutrition, health and primary education” is what he has envisaged. In this process, Vedanta initiated adoption of government run Anganwadis in the year 2008. The intervention was for a limited period, benefiting children in age-group of 0-6 years.

Last year in 2015, Hindustan Zinc signed the MoU in association with Government of Rajasthan for the adoption of 3055 Anganwadis in Rajasthan under its project “Khushi”.

Anganwadi Centre at Khanpura is one such Anganwadi where initially 20 children were enrolled and looked after Asha Coordinator, Anganwadi Mitra and “Khushi” team. But during the start of the session this year, parents of some of the children withdrew their names from Anganwadi Centres and got them admission elsewhere.

“Khushi” team, Asha coordinator and Anganwadi Mitra took it as a challenge and decided to strengthen the Anganwadi and re-enrol the children in the centre.

The team invited parents of the children who left for the meeting at Anganwadi Centre to sensitize them and create awareness about the role-play of Anganwadi Centre in development of the future of their children. Parents were then briefed about the facilities and benefits that an Anganwadi centre would provide to their children.

The efforts of “Khushi” team and Asha Coordinator paid off.

Parents understood the importance of Anganwadi Centre and how it will help in grooming and overall development of their children.

They re-enrolled their children. Now there are 22 children enrolled at Khanpura Anganwadi Centre and the smiling faces of these Little Sparrows say it all.

“Khushi” has been creating awareness towards care for the underprivileged children – their health, education and nutrition.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - WHEN KHUSHI CAME FOR LAKSHMI’S RESCUE

Another step towards fight against Child Malnutrition

Lakshmi is a 15 months old daughter of Radheshyam Gameti from Negadia Bheel Basti at Rajsamand. Lakshmi was severely malnourished with a weight of mere 3.2 kg with 2.3 as Haemoglobin count.  Even after the repeated efforts of Mangilal, the KHUSHI coordinator at Anganwadi Centre, Lakshmi’s parents did not take her to the hospital for the treatment. It is only when KHUSHI nutrition specialist, Ms. Shweta Dave intervened, they admitted her to the MTC Centre at Nathdwara. But when Lakshmi’s health got critical, KHUSHI team got her admitted  to the hospital and initiated her treatment with professional team of doctors. Lakshmi required Blood for her quick recovery. As she had rare Blood Group – AB –ve, different channels like social media were utilized to request people to donate blood.

Finally, the help reached and now Lakshmi is at recovery stage.

According to a status report on the Anganwadi (day care centre) programme, officially known as ICDS, about 2.3 cr children in India, up to 6 years of age are suffering from undernourishment and are under-weight,. Despite many years to India’s independence, where country has socio-economically developed, child malnutrition problem has remained unchanged for years.

Poverty is not the only cause of malnutrition, it may be an important cause due to lack of adequate food but lack of education and resources to care for their children sums up the problem of Malnutrition.

One positive change that Lakshmi’s incident brought was that lot many cases of undernourishment from her village came into limelight and children were admitted to MTC Centre of Nathdwara for the treatment with the help of KHUSHI team.

Hindustan Zinc’s Child Care Campaign – “KHUSHI” has always believed in creating awareness and to fight against malnutrition in children. By saving life of Lakshmi, it has only strengthen their mission to make India a Child malnourished free nation.

VEDANTA KHUSHI – JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMING LIVES

The 2-day painting workshop organized by KHUSHI team with about 150 slumchildren of 2-13 years of age was conducted to motivate them to join formal schools. 

VEDANTA KHUSHI - GLIMPSE OF KHUSHI WORKSHOP AT BEDAWAS

Almost 150 children who participated in a workshop organized by Hindustan Zinc under the Project “Khushi” came up with demand for school in their locality. The parents of these children also requested for a school that can educate these children who are keen to study.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - INAUGURATION OF KHUSHI CENTRES AT RAJSAMAND

Honourable Minister for WCD madam Smt. Anita Badhel Ji and Minister PHED Madam Smt. Kiran Maheshwari Ji launched the Khushi centres at Rajsamand on 11th July, 2016. About 600 Khushi centres became active.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - 150 SLUM CHILDREN OF BEDAVAS IN UDAIPUR DEMAND SCHOOL

When Komal, an 8 year old girl from Bedavas was asked why she is not going to school, she replied, how do I go school? I am scared of crematorium, a big well and highway. Why we don’t have school in Bedavas. 

Almost 150 children who participated in a workshop organized by Hindustan Zinc under the Project “Khushi” came up with demand for school in their locality. The parents of these children also requested for a school that can educate these children who are keen to study.

The children in the rural areas face the problem of commutation to the schools. Either the schools are not available in the colony or the children need to travel to school in tough conditions.

With the purpose of inculcating education in poor children, particularly in slum areas, Hindustan Zinc project “Khushi” organized a 2-day workshop on 1^st and 2^nd July 2016 in Bedavas which falls within the city of Udaipur. About 150 children, in the age-group of 3 to 15 years with almost 70% girls, participated in the workshop which had lessons on literacy, creative skills, moral teachings and nutrition values.

Bedavas has hygiene problem though almost every house has a toilet. As the children came to know that something new is about to happen, almost from every house they came running. A brief was given by Pavan Kaushik, who is the Founder of Project “Khushi” to all the children and their parents about the workshop and how every child has to come to attend the workshop only after taking bath, brushing teeth and properly combed. For this each child was given a tooth brush, a paste, a comb and soap on 1^st July itself.

On 2^nd July almost all the children came properly dressed and after adhering to the instructions given by “Khushi”. The parents of these children also sat, taking a little distance. 

The workshop began with lessons on literacy. Each child was asked to write their name and few moral values as they were given a note-book, a pencil, a sharper and eraser. Some knew how to write and some were taught. Post class on literacy, the children were given colour books and colours. Each child had to be accurate in colouring the pictures that showed the pattern of colour.

“It is our experience that children in slums and on streets need proper guidance and motivation to educate themselves. When you motivate them to go to school they need schools. The motivation and the infrastructure need to meet or else such workshops may not have long-term impact. In case of Bedavas, all they need is a small school with a teacher and a sustainable infrastructure”, 
- Pavan Kaushik.

The members of the “Khushi” project – Pradhuman Solanki, Maitreyee Sankhla, Devika Gupta, Ankita Das, Mukesh Mundra, Shiv Narayan, Sunil Gothwal and Diksha, advised almost each child on colouring and found that few had an amazing hand on creativity.

In the end, as part of providing nutrition to the children, each child was given a mango and 2 bananas which the child had to eat at the location itself. 

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VEDANTA KHUSHI - 150 SLUM CHILDREN OF BEDAVAS IN UDAIPUR DEMAND SCHOOL

When Komal, an 8 year old girl from Bedavas was asked why she is not going to school, she replied, how do I go school? I am scared of crematorium, a big well and highway. Why we don’t have school in Bedavas. 

Almost 150 children who participated in a workshop organized by Hindustan Zinc under the Project “Khushi” came up with demand for school in their locality. The parents of these children also requested for a school that can educate these children who are keen to study.

The children in the rural areas face the problem of commutation to the schools. Either the schools are not available in the colony or the children need to travel to school in tough conditions.

With the purpose of inculcating education in poor children, particularly in slum areas, Hindustan Zinc project “Khushi” organized a 2-day workshop on 1^st and 2^nd July 2016 in Bedavas which falls within the city of Udaipur. About 150 children, in the age-group of 3 to 15 years with almost 70% girls, participated in the workshop which had lessons on literacy, creative skills, moral teachings and nutrition values.

Bedavas has hygiene problem though almost every house has a toilet. As the children came to know that something new is about to happen, almost from every house they came running. A brief was given by Pavan Kaushik, who is the Founder of Project “Khushi” to all the children and their parents about the workshop and how every child has to come to attend the workshop only after taking bath, brushing teeth and properly combed. For this each child was given a tooth brush, a paste, a comb and soap on 1^st July itself.

On 2^nd July almost all the children came properly dressed and after adhering to the instructions given by “Khushi”. The parents of these children also sat, taking a little distance. 

The workshop began with lessons on literacy. Each child was asked to write their name and few moral values as they were given a note-book, a pencil, a sharper and eraser. Some knew how to write and some were taught. Post class on literacy, the children were given colour books and colours. Each child had to be accurate in colouring the pictures that showed the pattern of colour.

“It is our experience that children in slums and on streets need proper guidance and motivation to educate themselves. When you motivate them to go to school they need schools. The motivation and the infrastructure need to meet or else such workshops may not have long-term impact. In case of Bedavas, all they need is a small school with a teacher and a sustainable infrastructure”, said Pavan Kaushik.

The members of the “Khushi” project – Pradhuman Solanki, Maitreyee Sankhla, Devika Gupta, Ankita Das, Mukesh Mundra, Shiv Narayan, Sunil Gothwal and Diksha, advised almost each child on colouring and found that few had an amazing hand on creativity.

In the end, as part of providing nutrition to the children, each child was given a mango and 2 bananas which the child had to eat at the location itself. 

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VEDANTA “KHUSHI” NOW HAS 10 CHILD CARE CENTRES IN CHHATTISGARH ALSO…

Vedanta’s “Khushi” project moves to deep rural villages in Chattisgarh to provide health, nutrition and education to deprived children

Now, Vedanta Khushi has 10 Child Care Centres in the state of Chhattisgarh at Bhadrapara, Lalghat, Belgiri, Rumghara, Jambahar, Chuhiya, Rukbahari, Barima, Ropakhar and Sapnadhar. 

Keeping the focus alive to strengthen the girl child presence in each centre, the Vedanta Khushi campaign has been able to get more than 50% girl child in the these centres.  The total strength of children in these centres is 320, and out of these, 164 are girls, which is more than 50%.This makes the Vedanta “Khushi” centres to 22 now. India is a country with largest child population, largest child deaths, largest street children and largest malnourished children in the world.  

Seeing this state of the country, for once we felt apprehensive about building India for the future. It is sure, government, NGOs, corporates alone cannot bring this problem to a solution alone and common masses need to align and join on such mammoth national missions.
This is where Vedanta decided to spread the message of "Khushi" - Care for the Underprivileged Children.  Awareness is the key for bringing change, as only due to awareness the knowledge gets shared.
The campaign Vedanta “Khushi” has ultimate objective to see no child in India remains malnourished and is deprived of primary health, education and nutrition.

 Be part of the campaign. Join at Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi and visit Blog - http://khushi-creatinghappiness.blogspot.in/
Vedanta is moving ahead to further have more Child Care Centres in deep rural areas of India in the State of Rajasthan and Odisha.