Ammathottil welcomes its 1000th child, named Sahasra

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cradle home (Ammathottil) in Kerala's capital has received its 1,000th baby since the initiative was launched in 2002. The newborn girl has been named Sahasra, meaning "thousand." The baby was found in the cradle at the Thycaud centre at 3.35 a.m. She is five days old and weighs 2.57 kg.

The Ammathottil scheme was launched on November 14, 2002, and the first baby received at the centre was also a girl. Of the 1,000 babies received so far, 681 are girls. Officials said baby girls are also the most preferred for adoption.

Three baby girls were placed for adoption on Tuesday. They were adopted by families from the United States, Sweden and Thrissur. The Kerala State Council for Child Welfare also announced that it will organise 75 programmes across the state as part of its 75th anniversary. General Secretary G. L. Arun Gopi and Treasurer K. Jayapal made the announcement at a press conference.