Date:25/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082559060300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Trust’s gesture to pregnant women in rural areas

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: To meet the nutritional requirement of pregnant women, prevent the incidence of low birth weight and aid in foetal development and that of the brain, Lakshmi Girish Trust is reaching out to rural areas. It distributes boiled egg to each of the identified pregnant women through its paid volunteers.

The trust takes its inspiration from noted agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan on implementing its programme. It currently benefits 2,000 persons.

According to founder of the trust Thota Vijayalakshmi, as a part of its contribution for nation building, the trust imparts training to grass-root level leaders in sustainable development by harnessing natural resources available in their area.

In its campaign, the trust also highlights former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s idea of Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA).

The trust also focuses on legal aid in local courts, establishment of English medium elementary schools and colleges and harnessing low-cost rural technologies.