K M Dayashankar
Outreach programme on ‘Nutritious Diet for All’ inaugurated by Governor of Telangana
HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 02, 2024: The Governor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma inaugurated the five-day Integrated Communication & Outreach Programme ‘Nutritious Diet for All’ organised by the Central Bureau of Communication(CBC) in Hyderabad city on Monday to commemorate the ‘Poshan Maah’(National Nutrition Month Celebrations).
The five-day event at Telangana Mahila Vishwavidyalayam will see the participation of scientists and experts from National institutions like the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and the Indian Institute of Millet Research) IIMR, apart from the Women and Child Welfare Department of the state government of Telangana.
Shruti Patil, Addl. Director General, PIB & CBC walked the Governor through the Photo Exhibition highlighting various aspects of nutrition like the latest Dietary Guidelines for Indians, the importance of macro and micronutrients, methods of reading food labels etc. The Central Bureau of Communication has meticulously curated the content displayed by roping in NIN and FSSAI. A total of 40 panels on the theme ‘Nutritious Diet for All’ have been put up and displayed during the five-day programme.
The Governor appreciated the fact that the information was displayed in Telugu which would enable better dissemination. The event also features stalls by ICMR National Institute of Nutrition, Women Development and Child Welfare Dept.of the state government, Publications Division, Govt. of India, Nutri Hub, Indian Institute of Millet Research and Dept. of Food & Nutrition of the University.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, “India is a diverse country, we have different types of cultures, different types of languages and to reach out to the people with educative information on various aspects of nutrition is a challenge”. He said that the Poshan Abhiyaan aims to address these challenges through innovative strategies to change social behaviour towards nutrition. Hon’ble Governor, who witnessed certain folk art forms like Burrakatha and Palle Suddulu, in which messages regarding good nutrition had been incorporated, commended the effort and suggested that it could be replicated elsewhere in the country too. He observed that when messages regarding combating anaemia and eating vitamin-rich food are conveyed through art forms, it is well received by the target audience comprising of adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Calling upon society to join hands with the Government to achieve ‘Viksit Bharat’, he said it involves not just economic progress but also the well-being of both the mind and body. The Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi scheme endeavours to revamp Anganwadi centres into holistic hubs that provide both nutrition and education, he said. This approach recognizes the essential link between nurturing the body and mind for a brighter future.”
Shruti Patil, Addl. Director General, PIB & CBC in her inaugural address said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his recent Mann Ki Baat edition underlined the importance of nutrition especially for our children, the future citizens of our country. The PM has given a clarion call to contribute towards making society and nation a healthy and strong one. This Photo exhibition is a small step in this direction.
Dr. G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Scientist G & Head, Biochemistry Division, IMCR National Institute of Nutrition, Smt. Dr. M. Vijjulatha, Vice-Chancellor (I/c), Telangana Mahila Viswavidyalayam, Officials from the Women Development and Child Welfare Department, Govt. of Telangana and others also graced the inaugural ceremony.
The POSHAN Abhiyaan (PM’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th March, 2018 in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. The focus of Abhiyaan is to lay emphasis on nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children from 0-6 years age.
