Namchi, 30th September (IPR): The closing ceremony of Rashtriya Poshan Maah themed ‘together towards kuposhan mukth bharat’ under South District Social Justice and Welfare Department was held at DAC, Conference Hall today. Zilla Adhyaksha (South) Smt. Tshering Dem Bhutia graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, also present amongst others were DC (South) cum Chairman Poshan Abhiyaan Shri. Ragul K, CMO (South) Dr. D. C. Sharma, Deputy Director (Education Department) Shri. D. B. Subba, and various staff of the organizing department.
Addressing, the gathering Chief Guest Smt. Tshering Dem spoke in detail about the Poshan Maah and said that this national nutrition mission awareness campaign has helped women and young children particularly in the rural areas of the state to eat wholesomely or ‘Poshan’ meals. She updated that this kind of meal is extremely vital in maintaining the overall health of the human body. She also said that it is important that one and all to keep a kitchen garden as this type of garden can help in a continuous and convenient supply of fresh and healthy vegetables which is free from pesticides and rich in nutritional content. She also articulated that COVID-19 has contributed to transforming the eating habits of the Sikkimese people and now they are preoccupied with taking food which is high in fibers and different nutrients contents. Moreover, the Chief Guest applauded the work done by Aganwadi Workers at the rural level and stressed that they also need to educate the rural populace on the importance of hand and mouth hygiene so that coronavirus can be kept at bay, especially in the countryside.
Chairman Poshan Abhiyaan Shri. Ragul K, gave an overview of this Abhiyan and underlined the reasons as to how people suffer from malnutrition. He updated that it is mainly women and young children who are vulnerable to malnutrition and for the same Poshan Maah is celebrated in order to create awareness regarding the consumption of wholesome and nutrient-filled food. Shri. Ragul also said that in order to tackle COVID-19, one and all should focus on eating locally and organically available nutrient-rich food which will further aid in keeping people healthy thereby improving Sikkim’s nutrition indices. He also elucidated that last year Poshan maah was celebrated in a grandeur manner which included sports activities like the marathon and other competition and that this year the commemoration is low key due to the pandemic situation.
Child Development Program Officer (South) Shri. Laxman Tamang presented a brief report on Poshan Maah which he said, is a month-long program, which commenced from 1st September onwards. He gave a brief background about this Maah which is celebrated across the country during the month of September and highlighted the importance of community mobilization along with bolstering people’s participation to address the issue of malnutrition and other ailments concerning the adolescent people. He added that this year, various activities and competitions were held under Poshan Maah which included essay, painting, and other educative projects.
The program also saw resource persons namely Health Educator Shri. Sanjeev Rai and Block Technology Manager from Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Smt. Deepika Rai, they shared their valuable insights about fitness and the development of Nutri-garden.
During the course of the program, the department also distributed awards to students ranging in categories which are essay, painting and drawing competition. Under essay competition, the topic was ‘main challenge of malnutrition in young India’ wherein Karma Ongchu Sherpa from Damthang Secondary School, Akash Chettri from Sangmoo Secondary School and Neharika Rai from Government New Secondary School stood in first, second and third position.
In painting competition, the theme of which was Poshan Maah the first position was secured by Manoj Tamang from Ben Senior Secondary School, the second and third position was secured by Kindenla Sherpa from VCGL Senior Secondary School and Nitu Rai from Government Secondary Rong School, respectively.
In the district level drawing of the food pyramid, the first position was obtained by Stephena Chettri from Sadam Senior Secondary School. Similarly, the second and third position was acquired by Khusi Kumari Gupta from Melli Senior Secondary School and Nim Topden Lepcha from Kabrey Secondary School.
