Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) Diphupar observed Tribal Food Mela under Poshan Abhiyaan’s National Nutritional Month (Rashtriya Poshan Maah) Wednesday, at its school premises which was organized by planning &TRI (Art & Culture department) government of Nagaland.
Speaking on the occasion, deputy commissioner (DC) Dimapur Sushil Kumar Patel, as guest of honour for the occasion, said that under Poshan Abhiyaan, the GoI is trying to reach each district of the country with the objective to improve the health of children as well as new mothers.
He maintained that for the year 2017-18, a total of 315 districts across the country were selected and Dimapur is one of them. In the year 2018-19, 235 more districts will be added to the list and the remaining districts will be added in the year (2019-20).
He said, however, that this isn’t the first such scheme that was designed to target the malnourished children and mothers as there have been many such schemes undertaken by the government, adding that many a time the children might look good and healthy but they were malnourished and this leads to anaemia and growth stagnation.
Brand ambassador of Rashtriya Poshan Maah Prof. Alongla P. Aier, in her speech had said that young people were the foundation of a strong country and the scheme was the initiative of PM Modi to make sure that proper nutrition was received by the children. She said that as per report of the United Nations, around 36% of the children in India were suffering from malnutrition and it was impacting the growth of the country. She said that the malnourished children cannot reach their true potential and this also affected the progress of the nation. Asking the children to avoid junk food, she said that they should eat more vegetables, stay active, sleep eight hours, avoid too much of social media and stay away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Deputy director of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Biswas Behari Panigrahi who also spoke on the occasion said that such schemes have been around for more than four decades now but still there is much to be done. He said that the basic objective of the scheme is to bring under coverage the malnutrition children and mothers and it is expected to cover around 10 crore people by the year (2019-20).
The programme was chaired by Nongothung Ovung, welcome song, special song and skit was presented by EMRS Diphupar students.
Later, vote of thanks was delivered by EMRS administrator reverend Yanger Walling.
DIMAPUR: Advisor, Social Welfare, Noke Wangnao has launched Poshan videos and radio jingles, a step forward to strengthen the holistic approach to eradicate malnutrition and to give a boost to nutrition to the children and women, particularly the pregnant women in the state.
According to DIPR report, launching the programme as part of the Poshan Maah (National Nutrition month) at Hotel Japfu conference hall, Kohima on September 19, the advisor said that Poshan Abhiyan was the Prime Minister’s over reaching scheme to reduce malnutrition among the targeted children and pregnant women in the country.
Noke Wangnao expressed his happiness over the month long observance of Poshan Maah in Nagaland state in a befitting manner. He also stressed on the need to accord importance towards providing opportunities to girls for education saying that education of girl child “is important to the healthy growth of family and the nation”. Screening of inspiring short videos on Poshan abhiyan and radio jingles were made during the launching programme.
Addressing the key note, secretary, Social Welfare, Sarah Ritse shared her knowledge with the participants on implementation of the flagship programme “Poshan Abhiyan” in the entire country and called upon the participants to make a difference through their active participation.
The programme chaired by director, Social Welfare, T. Merangtsungba was attended by officers and staff of the department and the anganwati workers and helpers.