Mangalore: An ‘Awareness Assistance Workshop’ on malnutrition along with the focus on getting back the dropouts to school, was organized on Saturday July 5, at Rosario Church Auditorium, Mangalore.

The judge of Karnataka high court Justice N K Pateel, addressing the gathering said, “Children are the biggest gift of God to mankind and safeguarding them is everyone’s responsibility”. Justice pateel in the inaugural speech, was precise in saying that malnutrition is the country’s biggest problem that the children are facing. He said that poverty also affects their lives. While concluding he emphasized the important role of mothers in the child’s development.

Justice K L Manjunath, the judge of Karnataka high court said that there are still 378 children in Mangalore suffering from malnutrition, who belong to the construction workers coming from different places. Further, he added that Endosulfan is another main problem. He insisted on increasing role of parents, teachers and nurses in looking after the children.

A B Ibrahim, the deputy commissioner of Mangalore and Judge Dr K Bhakthavatsala, Mangalore, appreciated the programme and were grateful to the organizers.

The resource persons Dr Rukmini, N Shivaprasad, Ashok Ariga and Getrude Veigas graced this occasion with their presence. Uma M G, welcomed the guests and judge n k Pateel inaugurated the ceremony while senior civil judge N S Pateel proposed a vote of thanks.