Nutrition Awareness, Maternal Health and Anaemia Screening Activities Organised under Rashtriya POSHAN Maah 2026

CHANDIGAH, 07.10.26-As part of Rashtriya POSHAN Maah 2026, a series of nutrition and health awareness activities were organised at various locations in Chandigarh with the objective of promoting healthy dietary practices, maternal health, mental well-being and awareness regarding anaemia.

At Anganwadi Centre, Bapudham Colony Circle, an exhibition and showcase of best nutrition practices was organised. Nutrition-related messages and various activities undertaken during Poshan Maah were displayed and shared with the parents of children enrolled at the Anganwadi Centre. A lecture on nutrition was also delivered by the Area Supervisor and Anganwadi Worker (AWW), highlighting the importance of a balanced and nutritious diet for children. Parents actively participated in the event and showed keen interest in learning about healthy nutrition practices and child care.

An awareness session was also organised at Palsora Building No. 1, covering important themes including Antenatal Care (ANC), Mental Health, Nutrition, and Health & Hygiene. A lecture on Antenatal Care was delivered by Dr. Pooja, who highlighted the importance of regular antenatal check-ups and proper care during pregnancy. A session on mental health was conducted by Ms. Bubble, Psychologist, Dispensary, Sector 56, Palsora, sensitising beneficiaries about the importance of mental well-being. An informative session on millets, their nutritional value and their role in promoting a healthy and balanced diet was also delivered by a doctor from FSSAI, Sector 16.

Further, an Anaemia Screening and Health Check-up Camp was organised at Ramdarbar under Poshan Maah. Haemoglobin (Hb) testing and health check-ups were conducted for 78 pregnant women, with the objective of promoting early identification of anaemia and encouraging timely healthcare and appropriate nutritional practices during pregnancy.

These activities provided an important platform for community members, parents and pregnant women to gain practical knowledge on nutrition, maternal care, mental health, hygiene and anaemia prevention, thereby strengthening community participation in the objectives of Rashtriya POSHAN Maah 2026.

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Anganwadi Supervisors to be Registered under Food Safety and Standards Act to Strengthen Food Safety Practices

Chandigarh: The Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, has initiated the registration of ICDS Supervisors under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, with a view to further strengthening food safety, hygiene and quality standards at Anganwadi Centres across U.T. Chandigarh.

As part of the initiative, the Department is coordinating with the Food Safety Department, Chandigarh Administration, to complete the necessary registration process. Following registration, ICDS Supervisors will play an important role in monitoring food safety and hygiene practices at Anganwadi Centres under their respective areas. They will also oversee proper handling and storage of food and facilitate compliance with prescribed food safety requirements.

The initiative is expected to further strengthen the existing monitoring mechanism at Anganwadi Centres and promote safe food handling practices, improved hygiene standards and better quality of supplementary nutrition services provided to beneficiaries.

Through this initiative, the Chandigarh Administration aims to ensure that supplementary nutrition provided through Anganwadi Centres is handled and managed in accordance with prescribed food safety and hygiene standards, contributing to the health and well-being of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers across U.T. Chandigarh

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Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Chandigarh Administration, organized a mega Blood Donation Camp

CHANDIGARH, 07.10.26-In a noble gesture towards community service and healthcare, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, Chandigarh Administration, organized a mega Blood Donation Camp today, 7th October 2026, at the Government Veterinary Hospital, Sector 22, Chandigarh. The humanitarian initiative was conducted in association with the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, the Chandigarh Red Cross Society, and VISWAS Foundation, Panchkula.

The camp was formally inaugurated by Sh. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department, Chandigarh Administration, who served as the Chief Guest. The event also witnessed the prominent presence of Sh. Naveen, DANICS, Director, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Department, and Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Joint Director, alongside senior officers and officials of the department who came forward to support the cause.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest, Sh. Pardeep Kumar, IAS, highlighted that blood donation is the ultimate gift of life. He emphasized that a single unit of blood can save up to three lives, and such voluntary camps are vital to bridging the demand-supply gap in critical healthcare settings. Sh. Naveen, DANICS, commended the enthusiastic response from the donors, noting that the department remains steadfastly committed to social welfare alongside its core administrative functions, building upon the tradition of the successful blood donation camp organized by the department last year as well.

The camp witnessed an overwhelming response from both government staff of Animal Husbandry department, Mount Police & Dog squad of Chandigarh Police and the general public. A notable highlight of the event was the active participation of volunteers from the Market Committee, Sector 22, Chandigarh, who marked their presence in large numbers to donate blood. In total, 88 persons participated in the camp, and 69 units of blood were collected by the medical team of GMCH-32.

All donors were awarded certificates of appreciation and tokens of gratitude by the dignitaries to honor their selfless contribution to humanity. The event concluded with a message promoting regular voluntary blood donation to ensure that no patient suffers due to a shortage of safe blood

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