Jajpur: Nagada village which shot to ill fame over the death of 20 children due to malnutrition about five months back has now embarked on a journey to development, a report said.
The series of deaths had generated outrage in the country after the issue was widely published in media.
Alarmed over the situation, senior administrative officials from the Centre and the state had visited the hilltop village situated in the Sukinda valley of this district.
The visiting authorities had directed the district administration to take necessary steps for development of the village.
Acting with promptitude, the administration brought about positive changes in the village through a host of development programmes. The district officials, in a recent visit to the village, had reviewed the implementation of the programmes.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had visited Kaliapani and laid the foundation stone for an all-weather road to the hilltop village November 25, bringing cheers to the inhabitants who had earlier remained cut-off from the rest of the world.
Besides, the health condition of children who were earlier affected by malnutrition has improved after an Anganwadi centre was set up in the area. About 25 children have been enrolled in this Anganwadi.
Lakshmi Pradhan, a local woman, has been trained and appointed as an assistant Anganwadi worker with the primary responsibilities of imparting pre-school learning, tips on basic conduct and importance of cleanliness to the children.
Manasi, the 17-month-old daughter of Sadhabani and Dhaneshwar Pradhan, has become the much sought after name in Nagada after she successfully battled malnutrition. She was battling with life with reduced weight and malnutrition but recovered after she underwent treatment at the nutrition rehabilitation centre (NRC) for a long period.
Health officials were worried about her health. However, she recuperated and gained weight following prolonged care at the centre.
Acting on the direction of collector Ranjan Kumar Das, the administration has formed three self-help groups (SHGs) in Lower, Upper and Middle Nagada to implement self-employment programmes through the Orissa Livelihood Mission.
Moreover, the barren land of the area has turned golden with mustard cultivation. Three villagers – Ghana Mahakuda, Sukadev Mahakuda and Dhusha Mahakuda – have cultivated mustard over four acres.
Manga Pradhan, a 62-year-old resident of Lower Nagada has cultivated vegetables over two decimals of land with support from the agriculture department.
“As a community we were known for surviving only on rice and salt. The desire to shed this tag attached to our community for years prompted me to take up vegetable farming,” Manga said.
He has cultivated potato, cauliflower, radish, onion and beans.
Inspired by Manga, another villager Gada Pradhan has also taken up vegetable cultivation on his land. PNN