CINI India Celebrates 50 Years of Change

On Thursday 1st February 2024 the Child in Need Institute (CINI) India turns 50.

For five decades, CINI has empowered women and children on an individual and community level, to help break the cycle of intergenerational poverty and disadvantage in India.

We have been associated with CINI in India since they began in 1974, and have built a respectful, honest and authentic partnership with them. This year, CINI Australia Board Members and other CINI Australia friends, will self-fund their travel to Kolkata to share this remarkable milestone together.

History of CINI

Founded in 1974 by Dr Samir Chaudhuri, a Bengali paediatrician with a special interest in child malnutrition, CINI started its journey from villages around Kolkata as a clinic for malnourished under-5 children.

1974 – Registered under the Societies Registration Act.
1985 – CINI Urban Unit set-up for street and working Children in Kolkata.
1995 – Adolecent Program initiated within the life-cycle approach.
2007 – Recognised as State nodal agency for initiating the ASHA selection and training in West Bengal.
2010 – Awarded World Bank- supported Development Marketplace project for income generation of women’s groups by marketing low-cost nutritious supplement “Nutrimix”.
2011 – Established shelter home for homeless women and girls in Kolkata with support from Government of West Bengal.
2011 – Child In Need India (CINI) Australia founded by Dr Jennifer Connaughton in Perth, Western Australia.
2018 – Initiated its community-based intervention in Assam with support from USAID.
2020 – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Havard University) selected CINI’s work on harm prevention for the research project “Understanding Prevention: An Analysis of three Community-Based Harm Prevention”.
2022 – Joined core group of India Alternative Care Network (IACN) facilitated by UNICEF country office.
2023 – NAT-Health Healthcare CSR Award ‘Community Based Health Solutions’

Lives Impacted

Over the last 50 years, CINI India has impacted the lives of over 50 million babies, children, adolescents, women and mothers.

1.4 million pregnant and lactating women by ensuring access to services.
76,000 children addressing their nutritional need.
92,000 children in accessing educational services.
0.1 million children being protected from any forms of harm.
5.1 million Adolescents being engaged in empowerment process.
49,637 Poor vulnerable families received dry-ration during COVID pandemic.

Awards & Recognition

CINI stands out amongst other NGOs for its tireless dedication and commitment to change. We would like to take this opportunity to recognise the ground-breaking work accomplished by CINI India.

2023	Joyee Award from CII and IWN, Recognition of excellence to caregivers for CINI’s exceptional contribution towards society during and post-pandemic situation.
2023	NATHEALTH Healthcare CSR award for best community health solutions in India.
2019	Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, e Parivartan Inspire Award, Britt World Wide (BWW) in the category of Women and Child Welfare.
1994	Achiever of the Year 2019 (vertical Hub: Child Care), Tata Institute of Social Science: School of Vocational Education.
2017	Best NGO, Health category, HCL Foundation.
2015	Mobile for Good Awards, Vodafone Foundation for our initiative GPower.
2015	Nari Suraksha Sanman Award, B Sirkar Johuree Nari Sanman.
2013	ABP Ananda Sera Bangali Award, category Public Life, to Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, SPJIMR Harvard US – India Initiative (HUII) NGOs Excellence Award.
2013-2018	Certificate of accreditation for adherence to the desirable norms prescribed for the good governance of voluntary organizations by Credibility Alliance.
2011	ICICI Lombard and CNBC TV18 ‘India Health Care’ Award.
2011	WHO Award for Excellence in Primary Health Care in India.
2008	Annual Rotary India Award, most significant contribution in reducing child mortality, Rotary Club.
2008	Ellis Island Medal of Honour, USA to CINI’s Director and founder, Dr. Samir Chaudhuri.
2007	Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, World of Children Award.
2005	Dr. Samir Chaudhuri, Premio Parlamentare per l’Infanzia (Children’s Award by the Italian Parliament / Parliamentary Commission for Children).
1985 & 2004	National Award in the field of Child Welfare.

Story of Change

The story of Abhijit Baski: In the Green Zone of Health

Abhijit Baski, aged 4.9 years old, is a healthy and happy ‘CINI Nutrimix baby’ having been fed CINI Nutrimix regularly along with other food. Abhijit was detected as severely underweight, and in the “Red Zone” of malnutrition, at a screening camp for children 0-5 years at the ICDS centre, in Kurulia village when he was 2.5 years old.

“We learned about making dry Nutrimix, khichdi,and laddoos; proper cooking practices, health and hygiene, and care of new-borns and young children. All the mothers listened because there are many children who are in the Yellow Zone. My son is now in Green but I try share what I learned and show them how to make Nutrimix.”

Read Abhijit’s full story here.

The Future of CINI

The future is bright for women and children in India. Over the last 5 decades, CINI’s approach and award winning ‘CINI Method’ has stood the test of time, creating fundamental changes to the foundations of society in some of the most disadvantages and marginalised groups in West Bengal. There is still a lot of work to be done and we look forward to the next 5 decades and beyond, helping to give women and children a voice in India.

Thank You

CINI’s success wouldn’t be possible without global supporters like you. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued support of CINI. Your support creates lasting change in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of individuals.

Recurring donations are the most valuable gift you can give. They secure funding for our programs, so that we can continue to provide support throughout the year. Even $2 goes a long way in India, where even the smallest donation can create the biggest change.

Thank you for your support.

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The more people we reach, the more stories from India we can share, and the greater impact we can make.