450 pregnant women take part in 'Valaikappu' ceremony

: As many as 450 pregnant women from Andipatti constituency, from where former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister once contested the assembly elections, gathered at a function got up by government here today to celebrate "Valaikappu" (non religious function to bless the women).
District Collector K S Palanisamy,who presided over the function, organised under the government's Integrated Child development programme,said the function was an occasion to meet their near and dear ones and develop relationships so the women would feel happy and content, helping growth of
He said Government was organising it as a community function for all women, irrespective of economic status.Though hosted by the women's parents during the trimester of pregnancy, government was holding it to help families save money and use the funds to give better nutrition and other care for the pregnant women.

The Collector also distributed articles to the women and urged them to deliver their children in government hospitals, where they would be assured of quality treatment.
Officials also educated the women on post-pregnancy care and the precautions to be taken during pregnancy.
The collector said hospitals in Tamil Nadu were famous even in the neighbouring states and people come here for treatment. "The reason for this is the hospitals have the latest equipments," he said.