With cameras, sensors & voice-overs, Ammathottil goes hi-tech

Pathanamthitta: With cameras, sensors and voice-overs, Ammathottil (cradle), a state initiative for providing care and protection for abandoned babies, has gone hi-tech.

"Do you really want to abandon this adorable baby? Shouldn’t you be rethinking your decision?" From now on, when babies are left at the electronic cradle of Ammathottil, this question would be heard.

This would be just one of the features of the hi-tech cradles to be launched in all districts by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare.

“The Kerala State Industrial Enterprise has taken up the modernisation drive at a cost of Rs 10 lakh per cradle," Child Welfare Council general secretary Dr J S Shiju Khan told Manorama.

The moment the baby is left at the cradle, the real-time visuals would reach the Child Welfare Council's office. Or at the district-level childcare centre. The visuals would include the baby. But only the hands of the person would be seen, ensuring that the identity is not revealed.

After giving some time for the individual to have a rethink, another message would be heard – “Leave the baby in the cradle. The baby would be safe here."

Thirty seconds after the person exits, the door would close on its own. Lights, AC and fan would start functioning. Soon, the officials, nurse and maid would arrive. Hi-tech cameras and sensors would be placed at the room that send the visuals to the monitoring cells in real-time.

The Collector, DMO, and Child Welfare Council office-bearers would be informed about the baby’s arrival via SMS.

The hi-tech cradles have already been set up in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. The ones at Kozhikode and Pathanamthitta would soon be operational, while other districts would be equipped with hi-tech cradles by February next year.