CM Siddaramaiah takes a dig at PM Modi, asks why malnutrition increasing in Gujarat and country
Bengaluru, Nov 22: Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said he should answer as to why malnutrition is allegedly increasing in his home state of Gujarat and India.
He said those who praised Gujarat as a model should respond as to why the malnutrition index was increasing in the PM's home state.
"Those who praised Gujarat as a model should answer why the malnutrition index is increasing in Gujarat and in the country," Siddaramaiah said. "Can this become a model for the whole country?"
He was speaking after inaugurating the state government's ambitious public health programme, "Anemia Mukta Poushtika Karnataka".
The Chief Minister stressed that without eradicating poverty and illiteracy, everyone will not get good health.
"Our government's aim is to reach health benefits to everyone's doorstep," he said, adding that the government is ready to provide the required funds for it.
The Chief Minister called upon Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao to work together to fulfill the aim of the government and to "keep the children and everyone of our state very healthy".
Rao said that people do not have clear information about anemia and that they are not concerned about it.
"Anemia starts when hemoglobin decreases. The main reason for this is lack of nutrition. Hemoglobin decreases due to iron deficiency. This reduces our physical and mental development. Due to fatigue, human energy is reduced," he said.
The Minister said the government is determined to make Karnataka anemia-free. Anemia reduces cognitive ability and affects children's education. "Over time, we will create awareness and prevent it," he said.
Provision of necessary treatment and drugs by the Health Department will be ensured to those affected by anemia, Rao said. Besides, free anemia screening will be organised for school children in December, he said.
Screening of children below five years will be carried out by April and action will be taken to provide nutritious food in Anganwadis. "This is why milk and eggs are distributed".
According to the state's Health Department, India is one among the countries with anemia as a serious public health concern even today. Recent data as per National Family Health Survey-5 shows that in Karnataka anemia affects 47.8 per cent of women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) and 45.7 per cent of pregnant women.
Among children of age 6-59 months, it is 65.5 per cent, among adolescent girls (15-19 years) 49.4 per cent, adolescent boys (15-19 years) 26.5 per cent and men aged (15 to 49 years) 19.6 per cent.
The key objective of the 'Anemia Muktha Poushtika Karnataka' programme will be to improve the nutritional status of mothers and children through interventions that take a "Life Cycle" approach. It also aims to improve service delivery by leveraging new technologies and behavioural change strategy.
Under this programme, the state government aims to reach 52 lakh children of age 6-59 months, 58 lakh children between 5-9 years, 127 lakh adolescents of age 10-19 years, 12 lakh pregnant women, 11 lakh lactating mothers and 133 lakh women in reproductive age group (20-49 years excluding pregnant women and lactating mothers) through the planned six pillars of activities which include mass screening for anemia and malnutrition, strengthen tracking and monitoring system, take home ration and diet, and counseling services.
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Muslim woman doctor decides not to join Bihar govt job after Nitish Kumar hijab incident
Patna: AYUSH doctor Nusrat Parveen has decided not to join Bihar government service after a controversial incident involving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, despite recently receiving her appointment letter.
Parveen was among several hijab-wearing women attending a government Samvad programme in Patna when a video surfaced showing the Chief Minister allegedly pulling down her hijab in public. The incident sparked widespread criticism and political outrage across the country.
Although Parveen is scheduled to join service on December 20, she has chosen to stay away from the job due to the distress caused by the episode. Her family members are reportedly trying to convince her to reconsider the decision.
According to The Wire, Parveen’s brother, who teaches at a government law university in Kolkata, as saying that the family is of the opinion that she should not be held back for the fault of someone else, though they are well aware of her distress over the incident. Her husband works as a clinical psychologist at a college.
ALSO READ: Bihar CM removes hijab from newly appointed doctor's face at govt event, stokes controversy
The incident gained national attention after the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) shared a video clip of the Chief Minister’s interaction with Parveen on its official X account. As per the report, the video quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from social media users, especially women, who described the act as inappropriate and humiliating.
The RJD criticised Nitish Kumar’s conduct and questioned his mental fitness in a strongly worded post. The Congress also entered the debate by condemning the Chief Minister’s behaviour and demanding his resignation, while linking the episode to concerns over women’s safety in Bihar and arguing that such conduct from the state’s highest constitutional authority sent a disturbing message to society at large.
Despite the growing outrage and sustained political pressure, there has been no official clarification or response from Nitish Kumar, his party, or the Bihar government more than a day after the video went viral.
