Mysore/Mysuru: The valedictory of ‘Poshan  Pakhwada,’ the Centre’s flagship programme for improving the nutritional status of citizens, jointly organised by the District administration, Zilla Panchayat (ZP), Women and Child Welfare department and Health and Family Welfare Department, was held at ZP Hall here yesterday morning.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rohini Sindhuri said that ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ is a 15-day outreach programme launched by the Union Government a couple of years ago focussing on nutrition in a big way, marking International Women’s Day. 

Pointing out that the Centre plans to drive out malnutrition and undernutrition from the country by 2023, she said that as part of the programme, the district administration had launched nutrition awareness campaigns at Anganawadi Centres and other select educational Institutions across the district. Noting that during the campaign, it was found that 135 people suffered from severe malnutrition in the district and 12 percent of the population suffered from undernutrition, the DC said that the Poshan Abhiyaan has largely helped in addressing nutrition issues.

 Stating that it has been discovered that several anganawadi workers, who are in the forefront of the campaign, themselves are suffering from anaemia, Rohini said that such workers must concentrate on maintaining their own health in the better interests of children and family. 

When some of the Anganawadi workers present at the programme pointed out that work pressure was taking a toll on their health, the DC said that  work pressure is existent almost everywhere and the working womenfolk should consume  richly nutritious millets, cereals and greens along with meals. It is important for every one to maintain their health and physical fitness by having nutrition-rich food, she added.

Maintaining that nutrition-rich food will help pregnant women to deliver healthy  babies, the DC said that any negligence on the part of pregnant women and lactating mothers will have an adverse effect on the health of their babies. 

The  role of Anganawadi and ASHA workers in educating the womenfolk, especially in rural areas, on the importance of nutrition, is vital for making the country free of malnutrition, as envisaged by the Government.

Rashmi, a pregnant staff of Women and Child Welfare Department, was honoured in a baby shower event organised as part of the programme.

ZP President Parimala Shyam, Vice-President Gowramma Somashekar, ZP member Manjunathan, CEO A.M. Yogesh, DHO Dr. T. Amarnath, Women and Child Department Deputy Director K. Padma and other officials  were present.