Kathmandu, May 4: Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs Chitralekha Yadav released a book of children’s stories published by the Seto Gurans National Children Development Service in cooperation with the Australian Embassy at Lalitpur recently.

The Seto Gurans which has so far published five books of stories entitled ‘Sani Ko Sapana’, ‘Mauriko Mitho Maha,’ ‘Bhakari Bharaun,’ ‘Chatake Musa,’ and ‘Aha Kasto Ramailo Din’ and plans to publish 19 other children’s story books.

Speaking on the occasion Deputy Speaker Mrs Yadav expressed the view that the book will help to develop the creative power of the children as well as develop their mental and intellectual capabilities and lifestyles.

She said as the children are in a sensitive stage in terms of age and are like beautiful flowers, their future can be spoilt if we can’t provide timely education to them.

Director of the Seto Gurans National Children Development Service Agatha Thapa said the book was published to increase the language skills as well as imaginative and creative capabilities of the children.

At the function presided over by the under secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare Shanta Basnet, various other speakers including coordinator of the Seto Gurans Padma Shaha and Kunti Rana also shed light on the importance of the book.

Meanwhile in Bhadrapur, about 57 per cent of children six months to five years of age in Chandragadhi VDC, Jhapa are suffering from malnutrition, according to a survey carried out by the central food laboratory.

About 45 percent of the children surveyed are malnourished for their height and age. About 17 percent are malnourished on the basis of thickness of the arm and about 57 percent are in danger of malnutrition.

The survey reveals that about 63 percent of women below 20 years have borne offspring.

The level of education is far better in the male population than among females.

About 56 percent of the children suffer from pneumonia and 37 percent from diarrhoeal ailments.

About 72 percent of homes lack toilets and 45 percent have no kitchen garden. Families whose domestic output does not provide enough to eat account for 70 percent while families with separate kitchens account for 58 percent. The research covered l46 homes in Wards No l,2 and 8.

Explaining the findings of the research, assistant food research officers of the laboratory Purnachandra Awasthi and Krishna G. C. said that all responsible bodies should give due consideration to improving the existing vulnerable situation.