The findings reveal that the monthly Take Home Ration (THR) distribution, which is a stipulated entitlement of the beneficiaries of Anganwadi Centres (AWC) to be provided by the government during the closure of AWC due to pandemic, has been irregular in nature. Having an overview of this irregularity during the first five months (January – May) of 2021, SPAN has undertaken a quick assessment of THR distribution during last five months (January – May 2021) of select 44 AWC from 4 districts of West Bengal (Jalpaiguri, Purulia, South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts). The assessment was conducted during 25-31^st May, 2021. The assessment has covered altogether 2262 AWC beneficiaries which include children of less than six years of age, pregnant mothers and nursing/lactating mothers. This assessment is limited in taking a very small sample and therefore it does not claim to present a holistic status of THR distribution from AWC in the state of West Bengal. But, even such small a sample, the finding raise concerns about the distribution THR which is of a paramount  necessity of the poor children to ensure their nutrition and food security in this pandemic time. The major findings are listed below for your kind consideration.

1. Among the total AWCs surveyed 31.8 percent of AWCs not distributed any THR to any beneficiaries in the month of January, 77.3 percent not distributed any THR to any of their beneficiaries in the month of February, 95.5 percent of AWCs not distributed any THR to any of their beneficiaries in the month of March and 59.1 percent of AWCs distributed any THR to any of their beneficiaries in the month of May in the year 2021.
2. Among the AWCs surveyed none distributed any THR to any of their beneficiaries in the month of April, 2021.
3. Among the AWCs surveyed THR distributed as per government mandate (2 Kg of Rice, 2 Kg of Potato/1 Kg of Grams and 300 gm Pulses) only by 43.2 percent of AWCs in the month of January and by 11.4 percent of AWC in the month of February, 2021. No AWCs among the surveyed AWCs distributed THR as per government mandate in the month of March, April and May in the year 2021.
4. In the year of 2021, 26 percent of the beneficiaries in the month of January, 84 percent of beneficiaries in the month February, 98.2 percent of the beneficiaries in the month of March, 100 percent of the beneficiaries in the month of April and 66.5 percent of the beneficiaries in the month of May DID NOT RECEIVED ANY TAKE HOME RATION (THR) FROM THEIR AWC.
5. During the first five months (January – May) of the year 2021 only 58.7 percent of beneficiaries in the month of January and 10.4 percent of beneficiaries in the month of February could receive the Take Home Ration (THR) as per the Government Mandate (2 Kg of Rice, 2 Kg of Potato/1 Kg of Grams and 300 gm Pulses per beneficiaries per month).

It has been observed that the distribution of Take Home Ration once again resume in South 24 parganas district in the month of June but it is doubtful that the due ration for last five months will be distributed to the beneficiaries or not. National Food Security Act, 2013 says the supplementary nutrition which is replaced by the Take Home Ration during pandemic time is legitimate rights of the children of less than six years old, pregnant and lactating mother. It is unfortunate that they were deprived from this rights during last five months and that too in the time of pandemic when nutrition is much needed.  

Finance Minister of Indian on 26th March 2020 announced Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana to support poor families to fight against the Pandemic where she ensured extra quota of food grain and 1 kg of pulses per family from Public Distribution System Free of cost from April to June 2020. This benefits is only ensured for AAY and PHH beneficiaries. While prior to this announcement West Bengal Government announced to distribute regular quota of food Grain from Fair price shop to AAY, PHH, RKSY 1 and Special Package beneficiaries free of cost. The Fair Price shop started giving regular quota of ration as per state government announcement free of cost. But no fair Price shop is providing the additional quota of Food Grain and Pulses to AAY and PHH beneficiaries. This Span found in different urban and rural areas of West Bengal such as, Kamarhati, Tea Garden of Jalpaiguri, Jhalda and Baghmundi Block of Purulia, Khatra Block of Bankura and Basanti block of South 24 Parganas. While asked the Fair Price Shop answered there is no order. The poor community both of Rural and urban locality are deprived from the entitlements of additional quota of food grain and pulses which in this tough condition could make their life a little easy.

SPAN was able to arrange food and shelter for 125 labourers including 40 children from different districts of West Bengal  who were stranded at Gurgao, Hariyana without any support. West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights and their counterpart at Hariyana helped to organise this support. 125 adult labourers alongwith 40 children from the districts of Nadia, Murshidabad and West Medinipur were working as labour in Khogaon village of Gurgao district of Hariyana. SPAN conllected their name and addresses from one of their home District Murshidabad and contacted with them. It hasbeen understood that they are staying their without money and food. Immediately SPAN contacted with West Bengal Commission for Child Protection (WBPCR) here in Kolkata and with their reference contacted their counterpart at Hariyana. On 13th April 2020 the Hariyana state government with help of an local NGO has arranged food and shelter for this group. Thousands of Migrant workers, many of them with their families and children, from different districts of West Bengal detained at their workplaces due to lock down caused by COVID 19 Pandemic. They were helplessly suffering without food and shelter. SPAN took effort to stand beside them by identifying them from their home districts and blocks, collecting the contacts and networking with Government departments of their destination states and districts. In this way SPAN could arrange food and shelter support for altogether 214 migrant labourers and 70 children who are detained in the states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Hariyana. They were from South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, West Medinipur and Nadia Districts of West Bengal. West Bengal Commission of Protection of Child Rights and their counter parts in different states also took big role in arranging support for these labourers.

"আনন্দধারা"য় পালিত রবীন্দ্র জয়ন্তী

Rabindra Jayanti Celebration at Anandadhara

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  Rabindra Jayanti (রবীন্দ্র জয়ন্তী) is the day which marks the birth anniversary of the great scholar and novelist Rabindranath Tagore. Birthday of the noble laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore is celebrated on 25th day of Baisakh. In Kolkata, it is popularly called Poncheeshe Boishakh and is celebrated ceremoniously and jauntiness all across West Bengal.  

Our cosmic oasis, cosmic blue pearl the most beautiful planet in the universe all the continents and the oceans of the world united we stand as flora and fauna united we stand as species of one earth black, brown, white, different colours we are humans, the earth is our home. Our cosmic oasis, cosmic blue pearl the most beautiful planet in the universe all the people and the nations of the world all for one and one for all united we unfurl the blue marble flag black, brown, white, different colours we are humans, the earth is our home. "Earth Anthem" by Abhay K

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION BY ANANDADHARA CHILDREN

A Children Sensitization program has been organized by youth leader of UMEED at Agarpara New line. More than 50 children were present there. The topic of discussion was child rights through playful events.

It is an initiative where our youth members can do some Fun and at the same time learn something. Every month our members do various serious topics. But this SUNDAY ADDA brings some fun and relaxing time for them with joy. This month the topic was “Unsolved Mystery of the world”.

Youth roundtable meet, Kolkata chapter is a part of our large initiative Youth Led Development. In this 2 day’s program 6 different youth agency were present and share their views on different aspects. The program aims on 3 main targets like 1.Where they want to see them after 1 year 2.What is the process? 3. What support they want from SPAN. This program aims to focus on the initiative “youth as partner”. The youths have made their plan for development. This program contained with 20 no of youth who have already shifted them from beneficiary level to partnership level. At the end of the program the youth agency have submit their plan and made a joint forum that will work together in the future course.

2 days capacity building training on Youth leaders had been organized at saltlake. The training had different brain storming topics of exercise including control emotions, team building, goal setting, decision making etc. The youths found this session very much helpful to them. Emotion handling session by “Candle Exercise” youths are burst out with their untold emotions that had been hidden in their hearts. At the end they had created a model where they replicate their Career Goal Model. This program would follow up a public session where these youth would take session with others.

A debate competition (Chai Pe Charcha) had been took place with children of Ek Saath. There were two topics including

• Home work is waste of Time
• Punishment should reintroduce in School.

The children have participated in discussion. They have told their opinion very productively. It was an open platform where each and everyone thrown their opinion on the particular topics. It was a productive session where no one stops the children to discuss their views. They have discussed meaningful understandings. Everyone had present views with a clear picture. These children are making them ready to lead the society with their participation and full citizenship rights.