KGBV student’s baby food faces tests for supply to anganwadis

RANCHI: The affordable baby food model developed by a 15-yearold student at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Bundu, is being tested and will be introduced in anganwadi centres across the state by next year if it fulfils all nutritional requirements, officials said on Friday.

A casual labourer’s daughter, Pushpa Kumari, under the guidance of her teacher Shashikant Mishra, developed the baby food ‘Baal Amrit’ as part of a science exhibition held across the state. Her model was shortlisted for the Inspire Awards held in IIT-Delhi. She also represented India at the Sakura Exchange programme, Japan in May.

“Experts had conducted a few tests of the baby food sample and we are waiting for the full report on the nutritional content and other aspects of Baal Amrit,” said school education and literacy secretary Aradhna Patnaik.

“Once the department is fully satisfied about the baby food, we will coordinate with the social welfare department to implement it in anganwadi centres by next year,” said Patnaik.

Pushpa feels Baal Amrit will help the people of Jharkhand, where malnutrition badly affects the poor. At `59 per kg, her model is a lot cheaper than branded baby food formulae available in the market.

Mishra said they have been feeding Baal Amrit to local children and are recording results under doctors’ supervision. “We check if the child faces any problems such as loose motions after eating the food and also record the increase in weight of the child.”