After gaffe, Narendra Modi launches mission to fight malnutrition in kids, women

Addresses mega convention of 14,000-odd sarpanchs to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj

Under fire for blaming malnutrition in women in the state on them being "beauty-conscious", Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched "Mission Balam Sukham" to address the issue of malnutrition among children and women in the state.

Modi announced the mission at a mega convention of sarpanchs held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to mark 50 years of Panchayati Raj and his completion of 4,000 days in power.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, was to join Modi, but she did not turn up apparently because of ill-health . She sent a birthday wish, which was read out, "I was quite willing to come for the event but could not because doctors have not permitted to travel. However, I wish you all the best on your birthday and congratulate you for completing 4,000 days in the government."

Modi urged the 14,000-odd sarpanchs from 18,000 villages to fight malnutrition in their villages and announced a special discretionary grant of Rs 10,000 per annum. The state government will also give special grant to each village in proportion of the number of malnourished children and Rs 60 crore has been set aside in the current budget for the new nutrition mission, the CM said.

Villages which would report no crimes except road accidents in the village periphery in five years would be designated as "tirth grams", Modi said. The CM also talked of the success of Jyotigam mission that he said has ensured uninterrupted power in villages.

In capital, village heads hail CM

Gulam Mohammad Momin, the sarpanch of Kishorepura village in Mehsana district who was given an award, hailed Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a "revolutionary" man under whose rule "not only Muslims but people from all religions have prospered".

... contd.

ALSO READ

Astronomy buffs geared up for meteor shower

Narendra Modi dials Lalu, enquires about health after car accident

From Ramdev stage in Haridwar, Modi swears by gurus of all hues

PIL puts Tata Motors, state govt in the dock over Nano deal