ICDS Cell, Senapati organizes Poshan Mela at Senapati
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 26 2019: The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Cell, Senapati organised Poshan Mela under Rashtriya Poshan Maah which is also called as National Nutrition Month at Mini Stadium, Senapati today.

The occasion was graced by Kh Lalmani Singh, ADM Senapati as the chief guest, Dr H Loli Mao, CMO/Director District Health Society, Senapati and JK Makabo, DSWO as the guests of honour and Miranda Zimik, DPO, ICDS Cell, Senapati as the functional president.

Salew Lohra, Swasth Bharat Prerak, Poshan Abhiyan in her welcome note stated that the Government of India launched POSHAN (Prime Minister Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan in 2018 to address malnutrition challenges in India.

ICDS Cell, Senapati organizes Poshan Mela at Senapati

POSHAN Abhiyaan strives to reduce the level of stunting, under nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight in children, Salew Lohra added and said that it also focuses on adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers, to address malnutrition holistically.

Salew Lohra continued that POSHAN Abhiyaan is a multi-sectoral convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022 adding that the Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan in convergence with other ministries and various line departments to spread awareness about positive nutrition practices and to bring about a change in the country's nutritional behaviour by creating a People's Movement.

POSHAN Maah 2019 aims to improve coverage of beneficiaries with health and nutrition awareness campaigns, Salew Lohra maintained and asserted that it intends to increase visibility of nutrition among mothers of young children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, family members and service providers.

Salew Lohra further said that this year's Poshan Maah celebration is based on the five key focus areas identified by the Ministry of Women & Child Development which include journey of the first 1000 days of a child, Diarrhoea Control and Management, Anaemia Control and Prevention, Water Sanitation and Hygiene and Optimum Nutrition.

"Poshan Mela also tries to synergize and leverage community engagement in creating a sense of nutrition Jan Andolan among one's community.

With this, the ICDS cell calls to action in mobilizing multiple sectors and communities to create intent of consuming nutrient rich food, build knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.

The programme also tries to link food security, give insights on key nutrition behaviours, nutrition education, encourage local food consumption and nutrition, promote locally available nutritious vegetables and other food items and also create a nutrition champion by spreading awareness of healthy eating and good practices", Salew Lohra concluded.

Dr Loli Mao, CMO of the district talked about importance of nutrition in one's life where the Central Govt led by the Prime Minister of the country has been on the move to eradicate malnutrition before 2022.The doctor added that nutrition is important to the growth and development of one's body while adding that overall growth of a person depends on intake of nutrition in a body.

Speaking as the chief guest, Kh Lalmani Singh, ADM Senapati stressed on the importance of a balanced diet.

Mirinda Zimik, DPO ICDS Cell Senapati in her speech thanked all for making the programme a success.

Competitions of stalls consisting of various nutritious food items, vegetables, fruits, etc, from 4 projects viz Paomata projects, Purul projects, Mao-Maram projects and Senapati projects were showcased during the mela.

DLOs, converging line departments including the District Agriculture Office, Health Dept, Youth and Sports Affairs, Education and PHED took part in the mela in the presence of CDPOs, supervisors, Anganwadi workers, Swasth Bharat Prerak, ICDS staff and invitees.