Baliyatra’s baby attraction: Breastfeeding lounges

CUTTACK: Lactating mothers no longer need to feel helpless listening to the cries of their hungry babies in the crowded Baliyatra ground this year. Thanks to the district administration’s plan to set up nursing rooms that aim to provide a separate space for lactating moms to feed their babies. These lounges will also be equipped with rest room, sitting arrangement, toilets and drinking water facilities.

Cuttack ADM (Revenue) Raghuram R Iyer said in order to make the fair more convenient for lactating mothers and senior citizens, the district administration has decided to set up nursing and rest rooms on both Killa Maidan (Upper Ground) and Tala Padia (Lower Ground). “The decision was taken after observing the need of a private room for lactating mothers who find it difficult to breastfeed their babies amidst the crowded fair ground,” he said. 

Similarly, a rest room is absolutely needed for senior citizens who get tired after walking for some time and find it difficult to get a place to take rest in the crowded fair ground. After observing this, the administration has decided to set up a rest room for senior citizens, he informed. Meanwhile, the district administration on Saturday started allocation of plots for setting up stalls at Baliyatra, the biggest trade fair of the State scheduled to be held from November 4 to 10.

The administration has made identity card mandatory for availing plot to set up stalls in Baliyatra. It aims to eliminate multiple registrations by single vendor and also to curb illegal practice of profit making by selling plots at higher rate to third parties.“The vendors have been asked to submit identity proof especially Aadhaar card for booking of stalls. Those having no Aadhaar card can furnish voter, PAN card or driving licence (DL),” said Cuttack Sadar Tehsildar Sanjibeeta Ray. The annual historic Baliyatra is organised on 10 acres of Killa Maidan (Upper Ground) adjacent to Barabati Fort and 37 acres of Tala Padia (Lower Ground) on Mahanadi river bed.