The Central Bureau of Communication, Field Office, Kohima, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Pranabananda Women’s College, Dimapur, organized a Photo Exhibition to commemorate “Poshan Maah” – “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat.” The event took place at Pranabananda Women’s College Dimapur on 29 September 2023, a DIPR report stated.
The inaugural program was graced by Swami Chinmayanandajee Maharaj, Joint Secretary of Pranabananda Women’s College, who kindly consented to be the Chief Guest.
During the program, Chief Guest Swami Chinmayanandajee Maharaj highlighted the significance -of Pranabananda Women’s College, which was established in 1991 as the first Women’s college in Nagaland. He emphasized the importance of Poshan Maah, celebrated across India this month, as a means to educate and empower women and the younger generation.
In an overview of the Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan, Peter Vero, Consultant for Behavioral Change Communication & Capacity Building for the Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaan Nagaland Chapter, explained that September is celebrated as Poshan Maah nationwide to mobilize communities and encourage public participation. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and promote healthy eating habits through a collective effort.
Vero mentioned that the Ministry of Women and Child Development, serving as the nodal Ministry for POSHAN Abhiyan, collaborates with various Ministries and departments at the national, state, district, and grassroots levels. Poshan Abhiyaan seeks to enhance nutritional awareness and responsiveness among various groups, including mothers, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, family members, healthcare providers, and communities. The program has specific targets for reducing stunting, anaemia, under-nutrition, and low birth weight, he added.
Specific Targets of Poshan Abhiyaan include: Reducing stunting, under-nutrition and low birth weight by 2% annually, and anaemia by 3% annually.
As part of the celebration, Dr Khusboo Agarwal, MD, of Nikos Hospital, Dimapur, delivered a discourse on Women’s Hygiene. The program also included the declaration and distribution of prizes, with a vote of thanks extended by P. Sophie, Head of Office (FEO) of the Central Bureau of Communication, Kohima.
