 Early Times Report
KATRA , Sept 30: The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on Friday organized a Mini Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme (ICOP) on Poshan Maah at Katra in Reasi district. The outreach programme was organized by CBC’s Field Office, Udhampur in collaboration with the Poshan Project, Reasi at Government Higher Secondary School, Katra.
The programme was aimed at sensitizing the public about the importance of proper and balanced nutrition for infants, children, adolescents, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The awareness was provided through a combination of expert lectures, informative standees, printed awareness material and stalls providing live cooking demonstrations and displaying nutritious food items.
Joint Director, CBC, Jammu, Sh Ghulam Abass and Programme Officer, Poshan Project, district Reasi, Sh. Mohammad Anwar Banday oversaw the proceedings of the outreach programme. Addressing the gathering Abass said that the government has launched a number of schemes for public welfare and the onus to get benefits is on the public. He added that a network of Aanganwari workers and helpers work at the grassroots level to ensure the enrolment of the beneficiaries for nutritional support who deserve appreciation for their efforts.
Mohammad Anwar briefed about the implementation of the Poshan Project in Reasi and highlighted the need to ensure proper nutrition of children, adolescents, expecting and lactating mothers for a decisive win against malnutrition, stunting and wasting in children.
While appreciating the efforts of the Aanganwari workers and helpers in successful implementation of Poshan Abhiyan, Sh, Banday said that a collective effort of government and communities is needed to reduce the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in the country.
Dr. Sushma Jangral, form AYUSH in her address informed the audience about different ways to keep themselves healthy and boost immunity. She said people should make fresh vegetables and fruits a part of their diet and avoid processed and junk foods. She also highlighted the need to keep homes and surroundings hygienic to prevent spread of diseases.
In her address child specialist from department of health, Dr. Preeti Sharma said that parents must ensure that infants up to the age of 6 months should be fed exclusively on mother’s milk. She said that iron and folic acid tablets are provided free of cost to adolescents and pregnant women to prevent anemia which if not prevented may lead to congenital effects in babies.
Others present during the outreach programme included Sh. Khursheed Yousuf and Shahid Mohammad Lone, Field Publicity Officers from CBC and Dr. Pallavi Sharma, CDPO Katra.
During the event registered troupes from CBC, Jammu presented theme based cultural programmes sending across a message to eat nutritious food for a healthy society. |
