Breast feeding center to be opened in Srimandir premises

Puri: In a recent development, it has been decided that a breast feeding center is slated to be opened in Puri Srimandir premises. The same has been confirmed by the SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee.

While a large number of devotees visit the temple every day, many mothers come with their small children. Keeping in mind the needs of children and mothers who are dependent on breastfeeding, a special breastfeeding center has been planned in the temple premises.

The Chief Administrator of the temple Arabinda Padhee, IPS Pinak Mishra, Senior Supervisor Bakshi Pratihari, Assistant Administrator Subhashri Suchismita and other officials have discussed this matter and allocated a place for setting up this special center. It has been decided to be established near the branch office of the administration in the temple premises.

The main concern of the breast feeding center will be the privacy, hygiene and the safety of mothers and children. The Breast feeding center in Srimandir will also be a special woman assistant in the center. While there has been a demand for this since a long time, the Chief Administrator of the temple has directed the departmental officers to immediately implement this to ensure accountability to the devotees, especially women.

The Puri District Magistrate has said that a special guideline will be prepared for this center at the earliest. Recently on August 7, the Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida speaking on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week said that, most of the public places in Odisha shall have breastfeeding centers.

The Deputy CM had further added that, the breast feeding centers shall have a woman guide to encourage women. The breast feeding center shall be set up in public places such as shopping malls, bus stands and railway stations. The Centers shall have places to sit and drinking water shall be available for the lactating mothers. The mothers and their babies who are lactating can avail the facilities.