Healthy Babies and mothers rewarded
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 24 2011: Amidst a cloud of dust, the Healthy Baby Competition for selection of healthy babies and mothers from Imphal West district for participation in the state level competition to be organized by the State Health Mission Society on November 29 was held today.

Organised under the aegis of District Health Mission Society, Imphal West, the competition was held at a dust enveloped northern site of the R & D Wing Hall located within the office complex of Chief Medical Officer of Imphal West at Lamphelpat.

The competition was carried out in three different categories, namely, children between the age group of 6-11 months, 12-23 months and 24-36 months.

As there were not enough chairs, many of the parents and other elderly family members of the participating babies had to spread papers on the dusty floor and sit.

Even then, the organizer did not make any sitting arrangement for them.

The dust kicked up from the movement of the organizers, parents and the little children enveloped the entire hall in a cloud of dust giving it a look smoky.

One of the parents, who was trying hard to control the movement of his little kid in the dusty room, told Hueiyen Lanpao that as they were informed that the competition would begin from 8 am, they came early but the officials of the organizing committee started arriving at around 10.30 am and they were called for registration at around 11 am.

Those who were issued registration forms were again told to go to another hall for measuring the weight of the babies.

After this, medical check was conducted at another place, thus, wasting lot of time and causing resentment among all.

All these unnecessary movements also contributed in making the hall even more dustier and messier.

Unhappy over the sloppy manner of organizing the competition, many parents also expressed apprehension that contrary to bringing their young kids for participation in healthy competition, they may get sick from prolonged exposure to dust and starvation.

At the time of distributing the prizes at the end of the competition, many of the parents had to remain standing as there was shortage of chairs.

Nonetheless, in the competition for 6 to 11 months category, Elangbam Labin s/o Johnson of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai won the first prize while his mother Sheityabati was given the Best Mother award.

The second and the third prizes were respectively won by Rashita Heisnam d/o Yaiphathoiba of Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai and Ayekpam Herojit s/o Nanao of Changangei Mayai Leikai.

In the category for 12-23 months, Oinam Babari d/o Deepak of Pishumthong Oinam Leikai won the first prize and her mother Dipika was presented the Best Mother award.

The second prize was won by Ayekpam Tomthinganbi Chanu d/o Apanba of Sagolband Tera Loukrakpam Leikai and the third prize by Fresela Thiyam d/o Tombi of Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai.

In the completion for 24-36 months category, the first prize was won by Thingbaijam Avinash s/o Keijit of Kakwa Naorem Leikai and his mother Subitra won the Best Mother award.

The prize presentation function was attended by Deputy Commissioner of Imphal West N Ashok Kumar as Chief Guest, Additional Director of Family Welfare Department Dr W Gulapi as President while Senior Paediatrist Dr H Ibohal and District Leprosy Officer Dr M Damayanti as Guests of Honour.

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