Northeast Desk, 2nd September: The Women and Child Development Department (WCDD) in Sikkim inaugurated the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 with a grand opening ceremony at Khel Gaon, Reshithang, on September 2. The month-long event, celebrated annually across India under the POSHAN Abhiyan, aims to tackle malnutrition through a life-cycle approach, a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0.
Samdup Lepcha, Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, and Printing and Stationery Departments, presided over the event as the chief guest. He was joined by Bandana Rai, Additional Secretary, WCDD, Sonam Lhamu Bhutia, Joint Director, WCDD, along with officials, Anganwadi workers, ICDS teachers, and students.
In his address, Minister Lepcha praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative in launching an integrated nutrition support program. “The POSHAN Abhiyan is pivotal in strengthening nutritional content, delivery, outreach, and outcomes,” Lepcha said, emphasizing its role in nurturing health, wellness, and immunity against malnutrition.
The ceremony began with a torch-bearing event led by the Dirty Angel Motorcycle Club (DAMC), Sikkim’s first registered Motorcycle NGO. The torch was passed to Minister Lepcha, who officially inaugurated the program. The event also included a pledge-taking ceremony, cultural performances, and the launch of a “Poshan” song composed by Yanchi Tamang, an Anganwadi Worker.
The focus themes for the 7th Poshan Maah include anemia, growth monitoring, complementary feeding, “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi,” technology for better governance, and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.’ The month will see various activities, including the Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition), designed to promote nutritional awareness and healthy competition for overall well-being.
Bandana Rai, Additional Secretary, WCDD, expressed her gratitude to all participants and highlighted the importance of the indigenous food pyramid displayed at the event, symbolizing a balanced, earth-friendly diet. She urged everyone to actively participate in the Poshan Maah to combat malnutrition and ensure health and nutrition for all.
The opening ceremony set the tone for a month of concentrated efforts to enhance ground-level nutritional awareness, with activities and campaigns focused on key nutritional themes. The event was concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Lhanzey Donka Denzongpa, Deputy Director, WCDD.
Read More: Expedition to Assess High-Risk Glacial Lakes in Sikkim Reaches Tenchungkha Lake