Irani commends anganwadi workers, helpers
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Bishnupur, September 12 2021:
As part of the month-long observance of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021 (National Nutrition Month), Union minister for women and child development Smriti Zubin Irani led a plantation drive of medicinal plants and fruit bearing saplings at District Panchayat Resource Centre, DC Bishnupur Office Complex here on Sunday.
The union minister also launched Anaemia Screening Camp before flagging off a Poshan cycle rally from DC Bishnupur Office Complex, which she took part along with Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Delivering her address as the chief guest, Smriti Irani said that nutrition is a concern not only for a mother or a doctor but for the economy and community as a whole.
Reiterating that the objective of Poshan Maah is to highlight that the first two years of a child's life is crucial, she said "we can be a strong and prosperous nation when all women and children are totally nourished and healthy.
Strong community is only possible if we can fight mal-nourishment together as citizens" .
Expressing elation that Bishnupur has stepped up Poshan initiatives, she opined that the challenges on malnutrition can be fought effectively through dedicated efforts from Anganwadi workers and helpers.
Lauding the contributions of Covid warriors of Bishnupur, Smriti Irani remarked that Anganwadi workers and helpers are no less than any warrior as they provide services at the doorsteps for young children, pregnant women and lactating mothers even in the face of Covid pandemic.
Later, she attended the "Rashtriya Poshan Maah, 2021" organised by Department of Social Welfare, as chief guest at INA Memorial Hall, Moirang and also flagged off Poshan Walk at INA Memorial in Moirang to spread awareness on the nutritional needs for children, pregnant women, lactating mothers: She also paid floral tributes to the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose before commencement of the programme.
While interacting with Anganwadi workers and helpers at INA Moirang, the union minister announced that all Anganwadi workers in the state will be provided with smartphones as growth monitoring device within three weeks from now.
Emphasising that the Ministry of Child and Women Development is committed to supporting all Anganwadi workers in the country, she assured Anganwadi workers and helpers that they will no longer be overburdened with extra workloads.
Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Leisemba Sanajaoba, Oinam MLA L Radhakishore, Moirang MLA P Sharatchandra, secretary (Women and Child Development) Indevar Pandey, secretary (Social Welfare) N Geoffrey, social wtlfare director Ngangom Uttam, DC Bishnupur Krishna Kumar and other officials were also present at these events.