Nepal Minister Breastfeeds Rescued Baby
Nepal's Women Minister Sita Badi breastfeeds 17-day-old baby, wins praise. Minister visits shelter, finds poor conditions.

Nepal's Women, Children and Senior Citizens Affairs Minister Sita Badi has been praised for breastfeeding a 17-day-old baby rescued from a shelter home in Kathmandu. The baby was one of around 20 infants and toddlers found living in extremely poor conditions at the Bal Mandir shelter home in the Naxal area.
The children, aged between 15 days and two years, were reportedly found lying on a single dirty mattress after sewage flooded the facility following heavy rain. They were surrounded by dry noodles and several were in soiled clothes, suffering from coughs and runny noses.
Minister Badi visited the shelter without prior notice after coming across a comment on social media about the condition of the children. She ordered officials to remove the children from the facility and a rescue operation was carried out involving Kathmandu Metropolitan City officials, police personnel, and members of the minister's staff.
On July 19, Badi returned to the shelter with a medical team to assess the children's condition. During the examination, a 17-day-old girl began crying due to hunger, but there was no milk or food available at the shelter. Badi took the baby into her arms and breastfed her, and the child eventually stopped crying and fell asleep.
The minister reportedly breastfed the baby twice that evening and said, 'When I held her, it felt like she was my own child.' When her secretary remarked that the baby appeared not to have had a proper meal for days, Badi responded, 'Now I am her mother.'
Authorities have since taken steps to improve conditions at the shelter, appointing five caretakers and planning a new building on government land at the site. The construction is expected to be completed within four months, and the government is also considering new regulations for children's homes.
The viral video of Minister Badi breastfeeding the baby has drawn attention to her own childhood, which was marked by poverty and social discrimination. Born in 1995 in Nepal's Surkhet district, she worked as a laborer with her parents along the Bheri River before moving to Kathmandu.
Minister Badi's actions have been widely praised as an extraordinary display of compassion and motherly love. The incident has highlighted the need for improved conditions and care at shelter homes in Nepal.
The rescue operation and the subsequent improvement in conditions at the shelter home are a positive step towards ensuring the well-being of vulnerable children in Nepal. Minister Badi's selfless act has set an example for others to follow and has brought attention to the importance of providing proper care and support to those in need.
The incident has also sparked a conversation about the need for better regulations and oversight of children's homes in Nepal. The government's consideration of new regulations is a welcome step towards addressing the issue and ensuring that children in shelter homes receive the care and support they deserve.
In conclusion, Minister Badi's actions have been widely praised and have brought attention to the importance of providing proper care and support to vulnerable children in Nepal. The incident has highlighted the need for improved conditions and care at shelter homes and has sparked a conversation about the need for better regulations and oversight of children's homes.
The future of the children rescued from the Bal Mandir shelter home looks brighter, thanks to the efforts of Minister Badi and the authorities. The construction of a new building and the appointment of caretakers are positive steps towards ensuring their well-being. As for Minister Badi, her selfless act has earned her widespread praise and admiration, and she continues to be a beacon of hope for those in need.
The incident has also shown that even in the face of adversity, there are still people who care and are willing to go the extra mile to help those in need. Minister Badi's actions are a testament to the power of compassion and kindness, and her story will continue to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.
In the end, the story of Minister Badi and the rescued baby is one of hope and resilience. It shows that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way forward, and that with compassion, kindness, and determination, anything is possible.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sita Badi?
Sita Badi is Nepal's Women, Children and Senior Citizens Affairs Minister.
Why did Minister Badi breastfeed the baby?
Minister Badi breastfed the baby because it was hungry and there was no milk or food available at the shelter.