Rotary Club Mohali today launched its project ‘Mamta’ in the presence of Member Parliament from Anandpur Sahib, Manish Tewari and Punjab Health minister Sardar Balbir Singh Sidhu . The event, coinciding with the celebration of 100 years of Rotary in India witnessed the MP handing over special package of nutritious & healthy food to hundred rural women who had delivered girl child for the first six months of their motherhood.Addressing the gathering after inaugurating 'Project Mamta' spearheaded by Rotary Club Mohali here this morning, the senior Congress leader, Tewari underlined, while increasing representation of women in the public spheres is important and can potentially be attained through some form of affirmative action, an attitudinal shift is essential for women to be considered as equal within their homes and in broader society.Lauding the Rotary Mohali for this noble endeavour, Mansih Tewari congratulated the organization for completing a century in the service of nation. Pointing out that concerted efforts were need of the hour to bring women to parity with men, he also urged other NGOs and private players to come forward and complement state efforts in this regard.Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Health Minister Sardar Balbir Singh Sidhu reiterated his personal commitment to fully address all nutritional issues faced by rural women in raising their infants especially the girl child. Noting with huge satisfaction that Punjab in the recent Niti Aayog's SDG Index 2019-20 report based on 17 goals covering 100 key social indicators had recorded marked improvement, Balbir Singh Sidhu assured his government's unstinted support in all endeavours to further improve the accessibility of health services to all especially in rural women and kids.
On the occasion, both the member Parilament Manish Tewari and Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu announced grant of Rs 5 Lakhs each for the Rotary Club , Mohali towards its endeavours in the field of social and community service.Elaborating about the Project, President Rotary Club Mohali Harjeet Singh disclosed that with a view to ensure plan reaches out to those in need thrust had been to include women who fall below the poverty line and have recently given birth to a girl child at any government hospital. Women typically breastfeed their children for the first six months. If the new mothers eat nutritious food during this phase, it would also help ensure good health of the infants, he added.Notably, The Rotary Club is also working out modalities to adopt 25 school dropouts, who would be receiving GDA training by the Mahindra Institute of Skill Development, with all the expenses borne by the Club besides introducing a course for plumbers and electricians at the Rotary Vocational Training Centre, apart from the stitching, embroidery and beauty courses that are already operational.The Rotary Club Mohali is also working closely with the District Health Department, assisting them in the execution of the Anaemia Mukt Punjab campaign. The Club has also adopted 13 Anganwadi centres in underdeveloped regions, and is providing them with elementary level educational books, toys and basic necessities like chairs, utensils, facilities for fresh water, etc.