Taj Mahal, the UNESCO world heritage site, just became the first Indian monument to have a breastfeeding room. The white marble monument that attracts over eight million visitors every year is the first in India to take this progressive step. This is all thanks to Vasant Kumar Swarnakar, an official with the ASI (Archeological Survey of India), who decided to bring about this change after he saw a woman struggling to breastfeed her baby under the stairs at the monument.
“The woman was crouched and hiding under a staircase, while her husband stood near her to provide cover. I could see it was difficult for her (to feed her child), which is basic motherhood right. So I thought we have to do something,” Vasant told the news agency, Reuters.
Source: Twitter
In addition to getting a breastfeeding room built in Taj Mahal, Vasant is also planning to build breastfeeding rooms at two other monuments in Agra. “My hope is that more and more monuments – not only in India but around the world – replicate this (plan) so that women can feed their babies comfortably,” he added.
According to reports, the breastfeeding room in Taj Mahal will be ready by July and will open to women who visit the monument. All the provisions including a fan, light and a seating area will be provided in the room for the comfort of the mother.
This is a large step in the Indian society where breastfeeding is still considered a taboo. We hope it fuels the fire to a greater change.
Featured Image: UNESCO
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