MAHENDERGARH, 30.09.25-The Department of Nutrition Biology, Central University of Haryana (CUH), Mahendragarh, organised a two-day workshop on “Nutrient Estimation and Therapeutic Properties of Millets and Its Products” on September 29–30, 2025. The workshop was conducted as part of the project “Development of Millet-Based Food Products: Optimisation, Characterisation, and Validation” funded by the SHRI Cell, Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the initiative of Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) to mark the celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month). The nationwide campaign, celebrated every year in September, aims to improve the nutritional status of communities. A total of 50 students participated in the workshop.

Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice-Chancellor congratulated the organisers and emphasised that such initiatives are the need of the hour, as students are the future ambassadors of national campaigns. He further highlighted the importance of millets, describing them as small-seeded yet nutritionally powerful grains.

Prof. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Pro-Vice Chancellor underlined that such workshops are crucial for enhancing students’ skills and are in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Prof. Neelam Sangwan, Dean of Research and Director of the R&D Cell, expressed her views on the daily-life importance of millets, noting that this workshop bridges classroom learning with real-world applications. Dean SIAS, Prof. Dines Kumar Gupta, sensitised students on the role of millets in preventing non-communicable diseases such as early-onset obesity and diabetes by including them in daily diets.

The programme convenors—Dr. Anita Kumari, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, and Prof. Surender Singh—shared that the workshop aimed to provide postgraduate students with hands-on training and conceptual clarity in key areas of nutritional science and food technology. The training included methods of nutrient analysis, assessment of the nutritional and therapeutic properties of millets (including their anti-diabetic and antioxidant potential), use of bioinformatics tools to analyse bioactive compounds and proteins, and evaluation of food quality and safety through Standard Plate Count and Coliform Count techniques.

Dr. Umesh Kumar, Head of the Department,congratulated the convenors for organising a thoughtful and skill-oriented event, beneficial for newly admitted as well as continuing students. Prof. Kanti Prakash Sharma, also extended his best wishes to the team. The convenors extended thanks to all participants and acknowledged the active contribution of student coordinators—Debolina Chaki, Surbhi Panwar, Raushan Kumar Jha, Ajay, Prasun Choudhary, Daisy Musahary, and Anusha—for ensuring the successful organisation of the event.