Nongstoin/Mawkyrwat/Tura/Resubelpara: As part of the month long observance of Poshan Maah – a flagship programme under the National Nutrition Mission Poshan Abhiyaan – a number of programmes were organised in different parts of the state with each aiming to spread awareness on the importance of nutrition, cleanliness and sanitation.
Health camp in Nongstoin
The office of the District Programme Officer and the ICDS on Wednesday organised a Health Camp to emphasise on the need for healthy nutrition at Nongkasen community hall and was attended by P Nongkhlaw, Medical & Health Officer Markasa PHC, M Wanniang, DPO, R Kharshillot, CDPO, HL Marshangbai, secretary of Nongkasen village and others.
Addressing the gathering, Wanniang stressed on the need for healthy nutrition and said that pregnant women should make healthy eating a top priority in order to avoid complications.
Poshan walk in
Mawkyrwat
The office of the District Mission Coordinator (DMO), SSA in collaboration with the office of the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) on Tuesday, organised a ‘Poshan Abhiyaan Walk’ which kicked off from Maharam Govt. Higher Secondary School to the Deputy Commissioner’s Campus in Laitlawsang, South West Khasi Hills.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo highlighted the importance of nutrition, cleanliness and sanitation and addressed the issues regarding teenage pregnancies and immunisation.
She called upon the students to propagate the message by practicing cleanliness in their homes and in their surroundings and said that teenage pregnancy will create problems not only for girls but also for boys and therefore encouraged them to concentrate on their studies as early marriage can destroy and affect their careers.
DPRO Makyrwat, S Phanbuh read a self-composed poem about the importance of nutrition, cleanliness and healthy habits and flagged off the Poshan walk.
Prizes were also given for the best slogans in which Maharam Govt. HS School got the best slogan that read out, “Our food should not be our medicine and our medicine should not be our food” followed by Nativity Higher Secondary School in second place.
Month long celebrations in West Garo Hills
A slur of month long activities were organised in various venues in Dadenggre, West Garo Hills.
Poshan Abhiyaan saw the convergence of different departments comprising of Health and Family welfare, Education, PHE, Social welfare, Agriculture and Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary providing different services to the people in order to uplift the wellbeing and health of both women and children.
Chonseng Arengh, CDPO, Dadenggre informed that ‘Poshan’ stands for the Prime Minister’s overarching scheme for holistic nutrition which aims to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children. The month long event saw the display of locally available nutritious vegetables and fruits, and workshops on food preparation for infants and for pregnant mothers.
Poshan Mela in
Mendipathar
A Poshan Mela, organised by the District Programme Officer, ICDS (East & North Garo Hills) along with the converging departments was held at the Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society Hall on Wednesday.
A total of nine stalls were set up by various line departments where a variety of food items were put up on display.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Deputy Commissioner SC Sadhu lauded the cooperative effort extended by the converging departments and emphasised on the need to spread awareness on nutrition and health supplements to all sections of society.
Sadhu also dismissed the common misconception that nutrition means a costly diet and added that nutrition also comes from cheap locally available organic food.
Anemia screening, hand washing demonstrations and a skit on the importance of care for expecting mothers and prenatal care were included as part of the Poshan Mela.
A prize distribution ceremony to the winners of the extempore and quiz compeititions was also held while the Department of Horticulture bagged the best stall award.
