Anandiben tells class one officers to ‘adopt’ kids to end malnutrition

She added while the world leaders had envisioned a TB-free world by 2030, PM Modi had set an earlier deadline for India and to ensure that “government scheme benefits reach the villages”. “When the world leaders set a deadline for 2030, Narendrabhai said there are 1.3 billion people in this country of which, 10 per cent are those who are involved in volunteering activities… We can make the best use of these people to reach out to those who need to be taken care of. That is why he has set a deadline of 2025 itself,” Anandiben said.

Calling class one officers to adopt children from Anganwadis to fight malnutrition, she enlisted the steps taken in Uttar Pradesh towards the same. “More than two lakh children have been given foster care in UP to fight malnutrition. Class one officers must make it a practice to adopt children from Anganwadis,” Anandiben said.

Bhatt, who has collaborated with NGOs and other organisations, has adopted 2,400 TB patients who will receive financial assistance as well as emotional support through their foster organisations. “TB patients often feel ostracised. By adopting them, we are not only securing their emotional needs but also ensuring that they will have a weekly follow-up with their foster organisation on their treatment protocol as well as mental well-being… The families of the patients will also feel they have a support system while fighting the ailment, which can definitely be defeated,” Bhatt told The Indian Express.