KHUSHIYON KI TOKRI: THE SHEIKHPURA EXPERIENCE

Hon. Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar launched his ‘Samadhan Yatra’ (public outreach programme) on February 7, 2023, with the intention to interact with the people and review ongoing government projects during his yatra. He has visited all 38 districts during the whirlwind tour lasting a month and a half.

On 7th Feb 2023, he visited Mahsar village, in Sadar Block of Sheikhpura District. In this village, residents have taken up organic farming. The Chief Minister had a look at the farmers’ produce, listened to their problems, and gave instructions to officials for remedial steps. A common feature of the tour was his interaction with local JEEViKA didis and community-based cadres.

During the event, while he was visiting the stalls put up for the occasion, he came to the Family Planning (FP) stall which was set up by the Department of Health and JEEViKA, to raise awareness about FP. A special attraction at the stall was “FP Khushiyon ki Tokri” or “Basket of FP Choices” which consisted of information booklets, leaflets and posters on permanent as well as temporary methods of contraception, which can be used to appropriately counsel the community and accelerate the use of FP methods leading to a happy and healthy life. The DM of Sheikhpura, Shri Sawan Kumar briefed the Hon. Chief Minister about the achievements of the FP program in the district. The major achievements include the high number of cases for male vasectomy in the district, permanent sterilization of females and rise in the use of Antara – an injectable contraceptive, a reversible contraception method – by young eligible women. He further added that the initiative of FP Khushiyon ki Tokri helped in amplifying the spread of awareness and in making Sheikhpura the first district to implement FP program at such a large scale reaching a good number of beneficiaries. The Hon. CM applauded the initiative and appreciated the DM and concerned departments. The DM further described the initiatives taken under FP Convergence Program, a joint effort of Health Department and JEEViKA, to create a supportive environment for FP among the young eligible couples, and for leveraging the platform of women collectives.

CM, SHRI NITISH KUMAR VISITS THE JEEVIKA SET UP FP STALL	KHUSHIYO KI TOKRI ON DISPLAY

In Mahsar village, a one-day orientation program was planned and important points were circulated to all the Master Resource Persons, Community Nutrition Resource Persons, and Community Mobilizers. The Mobilizers prepared a list of the families belonging to Chandani Gram Sangathan, in which mothers who have one or more children and are FP users, are present, and then gave detailed information about various FP methods to all eligible women. This effort is supported by PCI Program Officer- Health & Nutrition and DC along with District Project Manager (Health), DPM-JEEViKA, HN Manager and partner institutions such as CARE and Piramal Swasthya. During the SHG meetings in the village, the Block Community Mobilizers and ANM assist in spreading FP awareness, vividly displaying the contents of FP Khushiyon ki Tokri, and discussing its benefits.

Authors:
Priyadarshini Trivedi, Associate Director- Family Planning
Ronnie Clive Francis, Manager – Communications & Knowledge Management
Editor:
Prasann Thatte, Director, Knowledge Management