SHILLONG/TURA, Sep 3: Celebrations of Poshan Maah (or national nutrition month) 2021 have got under way in the state. The month of September is celebrated annually to create mobilisation at state, district, block and village levels towards leveraging nutrition to combat malnutrition.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Converging towards a healthy walk through life’.
The celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021 will consist of four basic themes for four weeks — plantation activity in the form of Poshan Vatika (Nutri Gardens) at the spaces available in AWCs, schools, community land and others in the first week; focus will be put on yoga and AYUSH for nutrition (yoga sessions targeted for various groups like pregnant women, children and adolescent girls) in the second week; distribution of nutrition kits to selected Anganwadi beneficiaries with Information Education Communication (IEC) materials in the third week; and a drive for identification of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and distribution of nutritious food for them in the fourth week.
A series of webinars will also be conducted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and other line ministries during the month-long celebration on relevant topics of nutrition.
In Meghalaya, the celebration will be coordinated by the Directorate of Social Welfare, District Programme Officers and Child Development Project Officers under ICDS at the district and block levels in convergence with different line departments.
Launch in two GH dists
The Poshan Maah celebration was officially launched at Bilcham CLF Office, Chongnapara Purakhasia, West Garo Hills, on Friday.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Additional Deputy Commissioner & Project Director, DRDA, West Garo Hills, Charming N Sangma, highlighted the importance of the programme and the role of right nutrition awareness necessary for the human body adding that balanced diet with combination of essential nutrients and calories is pivotal for the smooth working and growth of the human body.
During the function, the chief guest and other dignitaries also planted fruit bearing orange saplings as part of ‘Poshan Vatika’ and Poshan Walk was also organised and cash prizes were also distributed to the winners of Best Slogan during the function.
Meanwhile, the same programme was launched in Baghmara, South Garo Hills, on the same day with a rally from Simsang bridge to the Baghmara Baptist Church premises.
