Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Calls for Joint Family Revival
On Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need to revive the traditional Indian joint family system. He believes that this structure is a significant strength of India, as grandparents and extended family members play a vital role in shaping children’s values and providing emotional support.
The Chief Minister made these statements while administering polio drops to children at his residence, as part of the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme. He took the time to interact with families, checking on the health and vaccination status of children, and encouraged parents to ensure timely vaccinations according to government guidelines.
According to officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department, the state is aiming to administer polio drops to about 4.92 million children under the age of five during this three-day campaign.
During his discussions with parents, the Chief Minister acknowledged the challenges that come with raising children, particularly in families where both parents work. He stressed that parenting should not be solely the responsibility of mothers and encouraged fathers to take a more active role in child-rearing.
“Both fathers and other family members need to share the responsibility of raising children. It should not be left entirely to mothers,” he stated. Naidu noted that societal views on having children are shifting, and highlighted that children should be seen as sources of joy rather than burdens.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting larger families, explaining that they are working to raise awareness about the benefits of having two or more children and fostering a supportive family-oriented environment.
K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu, Director of Secondary Health, and representatives from the National Health Mission also participated in the campaign.
In a related initiative, S. Savitha, the Minister of Backward Classes Welfare, highlighted the government’s dedication to the Pulse Polio programme. She kicked off the initiative in the Vijayawada Central constituency, joining MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao to administer polio drops to children.
Minister Savitha urged all parents to ensure that their children under five receive the necessary polio vaccinations. She noted that, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goals, the government, under Chief Minister Naidu’s leadership, is actively working towards a polio-free future for the next generation.
