Gangtok, 30th September 2022(IPR): Closing Ceremony of 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 was held at Denzong Regency, Zero Point, Gangtok.
Shri Sanjit Kharel, Minister of Women & Child Development Department, graced the event as the chief guest. Also present were Shri Nell Bahadur Chettri, Mayor, GMC, Smt Tshering Palden, Deputy Mayor, GMC, Shri Samsher Rai, Adakshya, EDZP, Shri Tshewang Gyachho, Secretary Social Welfare Department, Smt Ganga D. Pradhan, IAS, Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, officials and staff of Women & Child Development Department.
Shri Sanjit Kharel, Minister of Women and Child Development Department, expressed his gratitude for being part of the event. He said it is indeed a matter of great pride to see that all the objectives related to Poshan Maah have been achieved with the help of local bodies. He stated that the major scoop is to develop practices that nurture health, fitness, and immunity to diseases and end the menace of malnutrition in the State.
Further, he said that the one-month-long programme strived to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, low birth weight in children, and anaemia in adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children in the State. He added that Jan Andolan and community mobilisation are essential components for the effective implementation of Poshan Abhiyan.
Lastly, he lauded the contributions of all the various stakeholders, which ensured the participation of public representatives of local government, public departments from States, and various social organizations.
Smt Ganga D. Pradhan, IAS, Secretary, Women & Child Development Department, welcomed all the dignitaries and invitees to the programme. She said that the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 began on 1st September 2022 at State, District, Blocks, and sector levels. She said this month-long campaign has been very successful with numerous activities across the State. She also informed that POSHAN Maah 2022 focussed on four Key themes, mainly Mahila and Swasthya, Bacha and Shiksha – Poshan Bhi Padhai bhi, Gender Sensitive Water Conservation Management and Traditional Foods for Women and Children in Tribal Areas. She stated that the theme is related to the present-day situation, with the department and its allies focused on taking the entire activities with public participation, which has led to a substantial societal impact. This activity should further be a continuous dynamic process, she added. She applauded ICDS, AWWs, and AWH workers for their immense contributions to making this Poshan Maah a grand success.
She congratulated all the winners of the Poshan Maah activities and urged all the members to continue their pursuit, identify the malnourished children and integrate them into the mainstream.
Smt Yamini Pradhan, SNO/ Poshan Abhiyan WCDD, presented the activities of Poshan Maah 2022 in a PowerPoint presentation where she highlighted the various actions that were taken during this one-month-long Pashan Maah.
A short visual report of the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 was presented by the team of the Women & Child Development Department.
Awards were distributed to the teams according to different initiatives undertaken-
a. TEAM NAMCHI conducted many activities in convergence with CCI/ RDD/Namchi Municipal corporation. Assistant Director Nutrition, along with Inspectors, who also participated in the programme. District Child Protection Unit Namchi also participated in the programme.
b.TEAM SORENG also conducted many activities in convergence with the Education department, DD, and Health.
a. TEAM CHUNGTHANG conducted various innovative activities during the month-long programme. The activities included the preparation of indigenous toys, local folk songs, and songs on the fight against malnutrition.
b. TEAM JORETHANG conducted Poshan panchayat in Turuk Ramabong GPU in coordination with panchayats, Anganwadi workers, and Anganwadi helpers.
Similarly, Team Gyalshing (DC/PA) and team Singtam(DC/PA) were awarded first and second positions for taking up the maximum number of Poshan Maah activities.
These are the activities carried out during POSHAN Maah-5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2022 was inaugurated on 1st September 2022 at the State, District, Block, and Sector level throughout the State.
Poshan Pledge was administered, and signature campaigns were organised at State, District Headquarters, Sub Division level, schools, Colleges, CIs, and AWCs all over the State.
POSHAN Mela, Radio Talk, and Rallies were organised in all the Districts and Subdivision levels. Poshan Panchayats were conducted at the block level in convergence with the Rural Development Department.
Many indigenous toy-making activities and workshops were carried out in convergence with the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts at the District for AWWs and SHGs.
Various awareness programmes on nutrition and health were organised in convergence with CCIs and Education Department.
Traditional food recipes for women and children were prepared and demonstrated at all levels. All activities were uploaded to the Jan Andolan Dashboard [www.poshanabhiyaan.pov].
The programme concluded with words of thanks delivered by Smt Sonam Lhamu Bhutia, JD/ ICDS.