India, Philippines welcome '7th billion baby'

Zeenews Bureau Manila: Lavish ceremonies are being conducted across the world marking the world’s population reaching a whopping 7 billion. On Sunday late night, Philippines welcomed world’s seven billionth baby in Manila. Danica May Camacho was born in a packed government hospital in Manila. Members of the press were present in the delivery room when Danica was born just after midnight. Her mother, Camille Dalura cradled her and whispered, "She looks so lovely. I can`t believe she is the world`s seventh billion." Danica, weghing 2.5 kilos, is the second child for Dalura and her partner, Florante Camacho. Soon after the delivery, top officials of the United Nations met the baby and her parents and gifted them a small cake. Local benefactors gifted the baby a scholarship grant for the child`s study and a livelihood package to enable the parents to start a general store. Interestingly, world’s six billionth baby, 12 year old Lorrize Mae Guevarra was also present at the hospital to witness the landmark event. Speaking to the media, Guevarra said, "I am very happy to see this cute baby. I hope like me she will grow up to become healthy and well loved by everyone." According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9 million people. Meanwhile, Indian media went into a frenzy marking baby Nargis’s birth as the seven billionth baby. Nargis was born in Dhanaur village in Mall block of Lucknow to Ajay and Vinita Yadav. Nargis, the first child of the Yadavs, weighed 3 kg. Mall block's chief health officer, Ashok Mishra, handed out Nargis' birth certificate to father Ajay in a formal ceremony. Apart fron Nargis, Plan India, a child rights organization has identified six other girl children who were born in Mall block of Lucknow. All seven children will now be sponsored by seven women ambassadors for a period of 7 years, during which they will engage with the families of the children. With Agency Inputs