Thane, Oct 13 (PTI) The authorities today served eggsto nearly 2.5 lakh children here and in the neighbouringPalghar district, on the occasion of 'World Egg Day'.
The Valpada hamlet in Bhiwandi taluka here wasbustling with activity this morning when the districtadministration officials arrived for the distribution ofboiled eggs to the children in the 'anganwadis', thegovernment-run rural mother and child care centres.
The children were seen relishing their breakfast asthe officials informed them about the health benefits ofconsuming the egg, which is rich in protein.
Thane district zilla parishad's chief executiveofficer (CEO) Vivek Bhimanwar was present during thedistribution of eggs in Bhiwandi.
Similar exercises were carried out in the district'snearly 1,230 aanganwadis and balwadis, the pre-schools run foreconomically weaker sections of the society.
Nearly 1.3 lakh children are getting educated at theaanganwadis and balwadis in Thane. Of them, one lakh childrenwere being served the eggs today as the others werevegetarians, he said.
According to Thane district's animal husbandry officerDr Prashant Kamble, there are a number of rural pockets hereand incidences of malnourishment are reported from some ofthem. Thus, it is important for children to consume eggs, hesaid.
In Palghar, the district zilla parishad's CEO, MilindBorikar, said they would be distributing around 1.5 lakh eggsto children not only in the aanganwadis and balwadis, but alsoin the aided and non-aided schools of the government.
He said today the aided and non-aided schools werealso included in the exercise as the children in aanganwadisand balwadis were already being served eggs twice every week.
PTI CORGK.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.