Neonatal morbidity and mortality are appallingly high in our country. Deaths during first 4 weeks (neonatal period) of life account for almost 60 per cent of the infant mortality. When still births (intrauterine fetal death after 28 weeks maturity) are taken into account perinatal human wastage exceeds postneonatal infant mortality. 1 Inadequate neonatal care is often followed by physical and neurological handicaps and poor quality of life among survivors with increased risk of death during infancy. Improved or optimal neonatal care is associated with enhanced survival of infants, better quality of life and greater acceptance of small family norm by the people. In order to reduce infant mortality during 7th five year plan, the above facts must be taken into cognisance to plan our strategies.