Pangura — giving cradle of hope to abandoned infants

Dhananjai Madaan

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Amritsar, August 20

The Pangura (cradle) scheme has given a new lease of life to 167 infant in their premises, the authorities feel that over the years, there has been decline in the number of children, especially girl child.

The district administration had launched Pangura (cradle) scheme in 2008, with the help Red Cross Society. The scheme was launched to save life of abandoned children and successfully saved lives of 167 children, 143 girls and 24 boys. The District Red Cross Society promises to offer help and hope of a better life to abandoned infants.

So far in 2019, the centre has received only two girls, last year it received 11 infants, eight girls and three boys.

Recently a case came across in the holy city, a newborn baby girl reached Pangura after she was abandoned.

Dr Randhir Singh, secretary, Red Cross Society, who looks after Pangura, said, “The Pangura scheme was launched to help abandoned children and they are helping and taking care of them very responsibly. Recently on August 12, a two-day-old girl was found in Company Garden by a police party and they contacted us. The number of children being brought here is less now due to increased awareness among public but sometime we confront some cases like this one.”

As the girl reached Pangura, Deputy Commissioner, Shivdular Singh Dhillon, said, “Today, after many years, my eyes welled up, as I held this very cute little baby in my arms. I was wondering as to how heartless or helpless must those parents have been who abandoned this little adorable child, who after having been fed was sleeping in such a carefree manner in my arms, oblivious to the world which had dealt such a devious hand to her. Or maybe, the flickering smile that played on her sleeping lips was indicative of the fact that some sublime power was telling her that all would be well, and perhaps she was destined for something better.”

The newborn baby girl abandoned by her parents, taken into care by the Red Cross Society, given medical care and being handed over to an authorised care centre. Alka Kalia, SDM, Majita, Assistant Commissioner Grievance, honorary secretary, Red Cross Society, said: “To curve the problem of female foeticide, Pangura is a good initiative. The parents who are not able to take care of their kid weather its social or economic reason they leave their kids outside Pangura. If we see, maximum number of children are girls but I also want to give a message to society that girls are same as boys so treat them save and if they don’t have any social or economic problem then don’t leave them to Pangura.”