IAS Officer Jitendra Jorwal Empowers Children and Women in Punjab's Sangrur

Jitendra Jorwal's innovative programs tackle anaemia, bring education to slum children, and empower women through livelihood opportunities.

IAS officer Jitendra Jorwal, as Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur, has implemented impactful initiatives to improve the lives of children and women in Punjab's Sangrur district. After taking office in 2022, Jorwal conducted a health survey that found high anaemia rates among children in government schools. In response, he revamped the mid-day meal program to include iron-rich foods and folic acid tablets. Thanks to regular monitoring and the establishment of school kitchen gardens, anaemia rates dropped significantly, with only 29 out of 1,073 children found anaemic in the most recent checkup.

Jorwal also launched the "School on Wheels" program to provide education to children in slum areas who had never attended school. The initiative involves a bus equipped with learning materials and a teacher that picks up about 30 children daily, offering them a few hours of joyful learning through storytelling and other activities. This approach helps children adapt to education in a supportive environment, reducing the likelihood of dropouts. Following the program’s success, 77 children were later enrolled in primary schools in Sangrur and Dhuri blocks.

In addition, Jorwal has fostered women’s empowerment through the PEHEL program, which employs women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) to stitch school uniforms for local schools. This initiative has provided steady work and income for many women, who now stitch uniforms not only for government schools but also for private organizations. The program has grown substantially, enabling some women to establish their own stitching units and expand into new markets, ultimately increasing their economic independence and confidence.

Reference:

www.newindianexpress.com