Closing ceremony of 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah held at GDC Women Kathua

• MLA Dr B. Bushan, DC stress on balanced nutrition for well being of family 

KATHUA: The closing ceremony of the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was today held at Government Degree College for Women Kathua. MLA Kathua, Dr. Bharat Bhushan, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma was the Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Dr. Bharat Bhushan lauded the ICDS Department for successfully observing Poshan Maah across the district. He said that the Poshan projects play a crucial role in promoting health and nutrition awareness, especially among women and children. He added that the initiative provides vital support by encouraging the use of fresh vegetables and local by available nutritious food, which helps improve family health and well-being. The MLA further said that such sustained efforts have a direct impact on reducing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), contributing to the vision of a healthy and self-reliant nation.

Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma, in his address, said that the Poshan Abhiyaan holds immense importance in ensuring nutritional care for pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children. He emphasized that community participation is essential to achieve the objectives of the campaign and urged all stakeholders to work in coordination to ensure the delivery of nutritional and health services at the grassroots level. The DC appreciated the efforts of ICDS staff, Anganwadi Workers and community volunteers for spreading awareness and implementing various activities under the Poshan Maah with dedication.

The key focus areas of this year’s Poshan Maah included awareness on limited intake of sugar and edible oils to reduce obesity, promotion of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) integrating nutrition with learning, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, mainstreaming men’s participation in nutrition and childcare, promotion of locally available nutritious food resources, and integrated action through digitisation.

A Theme based Nukkad Natak was also presented, highlighting the government schemes like Laadli Beti Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Gender Equality and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. The MLA and Deputy Commissioner also handed over appointment orders to 11 newly appointed Anganwadi Helpers.

Among others present included PO ICDS, Mohammad Syeed Khan; CMO Dr. Vijay Raina; DEPO Anjana Manyal; CDPOs of Kathua, Bani, Duggan, Lohai-Malhar, Hiranagar, Basohli, Billawar and Barnoti; Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.

The programme concluded with a pledge by all participants to continue spreading awareness on nutrition, health, and gender equality in their respective communities.