CHANDIGARH, 16.09.24-The NSS units of Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV for Women, Chandigarh, organised ‘Sampooran Swasthya Saptah’, under the aegis of Poshan Maah Abhiyan- a flagship program of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. The weeklong activities kickstarted with an awareness rally at the adopted village Badheri. The NSS volunteers raised slogans while displaying posters on nutrition as they marched through the village streets. This was then followed by a nukkad natak on nutrition at the village anganwadi.
On day 2, an interactive session was conducted in the college campus by Ms. Aanchal Mehta and Dr. Sandeep Kaur, Assistant Professors at the college, wherein they educated the students about the aims and objectives of Poshan Maah Abhiyan. This was followed by nukkad natak on Poshan Maah theme.
On day 3, an interactive session was conducted by Ms. Aanchal Mehta and Dr. Sandeep Kaur at the anganwadi and community dispensary of Badheri village on diet to prevent anaemia, PCOD and thyroid, and the importance and incorporation of millets in diet. The NSS volunteers also showcased different millets such as ragi, jowar, bajra and kodo millet, and briefed the village women about the benefits of taking millets regularly.
On day 4 and 6, door to door survey of 150 households was conducted wherein data pertaining to number of children (equal or less than 6 years of age) showing stunting, wasting with low body mass index and those underweight. In addition, the parents of the children showing visible signs of malnutrition like low BMI, underweight, etc., were made aware of the need to provide a more nutritious diet to their children.
On day 5, the NSS volunteers visited Badheri Government High School and interacted with the students of primary wing to educate them about hygiene and health. Kodo millet based healthy salad packets were also distributed among the students, rural women, and elderly people visiting the village dispensary and anganwadi. An interactive session with the school staff and mid-day meal workers was also held to promote the use of wholesome food recipes like dalia, khichdi, salad, etc. in the mid-day meal plan of students.
Expressing appreciation for the efforts of the NSS units, Principal Dr. Nisha Bhargava said that such initiatives are imperative to drive home the message of the importance of holistic nutrition. She expressed hope that these endeavours would help in bolstering people's participation in the national mission of fighting malnutrition in a targeted manner.