Beauty pageants mark conclusion of Kishor Swasthya Karyakram in state

Nongpoh/JOWAI/TURA: The month-long Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) celebrations concluded with a series of beauty pageants held in various parts of the state on Thursday.
In Nongpoh, a programme was held at the St. Paul Parish hall where former home minister RG Lyngdoh attended as the chief guest.
The RKSK which was first launched on January 7, 2014 for adolescents between 10 to 19 years of age aims to improve nutrition, reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, iron-deficiency, anaemia among adolescent girls and boys and promote behavioural change in youngsters.
Various activities were held throughout the month including an awareness programme and a free health camp organised by different CHCs, PHCs sub-centres and state dispensaries in the district.
Lyngdoh lauded the Health Department for organising the programme and urged the youth to take advantage of the facilities provided by the government such as the adolescent counselling centres that have been set up in different CHCs and PHCs in the district.
The programme also felicitated young achievers in the district including Banisha Nongrum, winner of the national post card writing competition, Ibapynhun Syiemlieh, winner of the Miss Glamour India beauty pageant in 2017 and Nadia Syiemlieh, winner of the Queen of Universe 2018 beauty pageant held in South Africa.
The same programme was also held at Mawtneng village and included an inter village football match between Umktieh and Lumsohpieng village where Umktieh emerged victorious.
A free health camp was also set up to detect diseases like anemia, oral health problems, diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
Pravin Bakshi, Health & Family Welfare secretary and mission director of NHM, Government of Meghalaya attended the programme as the chief guest.
Meanwhile in West Jaintia Hills, the RKSK celebrations concluded with a beauty pageant at the District Library Auditorium in Mynthong, Jowai.
RKSK district nodal officer VJ Laloo delivered the welcome address in the presence of M Rymbui, Headman of Lion’s Club Mission Compound, Jowai.
The Miss and Mr Chrysalis beauty pageant was organised by the office of the District of Medical and Health Officer, West Jaintia Hills to impart confidence and the spirit of competition among the youth of the district.
Rimaya Passah won the title of Miss Chrysalis along with C Vivian Rymbai as Mr. Chrysalis.
In Tura, the month-long campaign concluded at the Ampati Mini Stadium on Thursday.The closing ceremony also marked the celebration of 5 years of RKSK in the state.