To celebrate the 4th Rashtriya Poshan Maah and raise awareness about the cause, a special event “Poshan Mela” was organised in Palsora, Sector 56,

Chandigarh.8th September,2021: To celebrate the 4th Rashtriya Poshan Maah and raise awareness about the cause, a special event “Poshan Mela” was organised in Palsora, Sector 56, Chandigarh by the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development . Ms. Nikita Pawar, IAS, Secretary, Social Welfare, Ms. Navjot Kaur, PCS, Director, Social Welfare, and Ms. Parminder Kaur, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, graced the event with their presence.

So far, the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, in collaboration with the various Line Departments, have organised approximately 15,000 activities. The celebrations for the Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021 were initiated on 1st September 2021 and shall continue till the 30th of September, 2021.

Pre-school and school-going children were invited to partake in the event for raising awareness about proper nutrition and health among them. Students showed their creativity and understanding of the concept of POSHAN i.e. means to achieve a healthy diet and lifestyle for physical and mental well-being. Children participated in various events including face painting, dance performances, various exercises, and mehandi making. The small children were entertained with toys and games during the event. A creative display of fruits and vegetables was also assembled to raise awareness about nutrition during the Poshan Mela. Children were also educated on the ill effects of consuming junk food and urged to consume nutritious home-cooked food.

Punjabi dance of gidda was performed on the theme of POSHAN Maah by Anganwadi Workers to raise awareness among the audience. They also set up a Punjabi corner for educating the audience about indigenous pulses and grains like makki, sarson, ragi, bajra, etc.

A POSHAN Ka Ped was also set up by decorating it with various messages on the correct diet and nutritious values of different food groups on the premises. A kitchen garden was on display which was organised to promote the POSHAN Vatika Competition among Aanganwadis wherein all Aanganwadis in Chandigarh are to plant and raise various herbs and vegetables in their premises.

The event concluded with the distribution of prizes to children that included stationery kits and POSHAN baskets which contained fruits and vegetables.

The Poshan Mela event was successful in providing the children and parents with the right guidance and inculcating the habit of healthy eating and exercise for their proper growth and development.