MoUs worth over 80cr signed for development projects in UP

Varanasi: Kashi CSR Conclave was held on Monday, during which MoUs were signed for development works worth over Rs 80 crore under CSR by various companies.
UP Governor Anandiben Patel, who attended the event, emphasised the need to eradicate malnutrition from its very root, put an end to child marriages, and ensure the proper use of govt funds provided to pregnant women.She also stressed the importance of child psychologists to support childrens' mental health and the impact of a positive home environment on unborn babies.
The Governor said, "Parents must focus on educating their daughters and making sure they avail benefits of the Ayushmaan Bharat scheme. We must pledge together not to get our daughters married before the age of 20 and should ensure that there is no discrimination between sons and daughters." Discussing the National Education Policy (NEP), she urged efforts to achieve the goal of enrolling 50% of children in higher education by 2030. She also called for ongoing improvements in UP's eight aspirational districts and urged companies to support Anganwadi development in Sonbhadra.
The Governor distributed kits to five Anganwadi centres and certificates to nine Anganwadi workers and supervisors for their excellent work against malnutrition. Laptops were given to five beneficiaries under the CM's Child Service Scheme, and ISO certificates were awarded to Kasturba Gandhi schools and State Children's homes.
The Governor inaugurated a cervical and breast cancer screening programme for women and girls in urban areas under Project Isha, in collaboration with the Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre. She also flagged off an SBI-funded senior citizen-friendly van.
Speaking on the occasion, district panchayat president Poonam Maurya appreciated efforts of Anganwadi workers in child and maternal health and thanked the Governor for her ongoing support in this direction. Mayor Ashok Tiwari mentioned that development projects worth approximately Rs. 65000 crores are underway in Kashi and appreciated the efforts of Anganwadi workers in combating anaemia.
DM S. Rajalingam thanked the Governor for her focus on Varanasi and her efforts in education, health, and malnutrition eradication. He noted that the severe malnutrition rate in the district had decreased from around 7% to approximately 2%.
Chief development officer Himanshu Nagpal presented the MoU exchanges and previous CSR works. Under the Kashi Samriddhi Abhiyan, 67,150 women were found anaemic and were provided with folic acid, iron tablets, and care, helping 58,000 recover from anaemia. Nutrient-rich grains were given to children to combat malnutrition.
Seven new MoUs were signed, including Rs. 27.5 crores by ONGC, Rs. 12 crores by Power Grid, Rs. 20 crores by REC for rural development, Rs. 10 crores by Hans Foundation, and Rs. 3.5 crores by CWC for health, Rs. 1.4 crores by GAIL India for ICDS, and Rs. 90 lakh by NCL for basic education.