Ladakh Successfully Hosts Poshan Mela

Leh, Sept. 22: In sync with the nationwide observation of Poshan Maah during the month of September, the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh organised the Ladakh Poshan Mela under the theme Sahi Poshan, Ladakh Roshan.

The month of September has been marked as POSHAN Maah to address the issue of malnutrition under the Government of India’s Flagship Program POSHAN Abhiyan. The theme this year is Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).

Addressing the gathering at Eco Park, Leh, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor Brig. (Dr) BD Mishra (retd.) commended the Anganwadi Workers for their selfless work of taking care of children and their nutritional requirements.

Commissioner Secretary Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh Padma Angmo appreciated the efforts put in by the department for the initiative and ensuring the participation of field workers.

Further, she stated that efforts have been made to address existing challenges of the department, viz honorarium of the AWWs, infrastructural requirements amongst others and said that continued efforts shall be made by the Administration redress the issue. The department is in the process of building new centres and recently announced the completion of two winter friendly centres which shall be taken as models for new centres, informed Padma Angmo. “Capacity building of the AWWs & supervisors is an ongoing endeavour and a comprehensive training plan has been developed to be implemented over the course of the year,” informed the Commissioner Secretary, while highlighting that the department is committed towards ensuring there are no malnourished children in Ladakh.

The stalls put up by the different ICDS projects and Anganwadi centres, informed of the various schemes such as the Integrated Child Development Programme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG), Mission Poshan 2.0. supplementary nutrition provided to children and pregnant/lactating mothers, etc. For a better understanding of a Anganwadi set up, a model Anganwadi Centre was on display along with the prototype of Aanganwadi centre for the nomadic region of Changthang. The mela also exhibited a variety of nutrition-rich food items prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and invited all visitors to indulge in a healthy and hearty meal. The food preparations received applause and appreciation from the attendees.

Director Social and Tribal Welfare Dept Tashi Dolma in her address stated that addressing mal nutrition in a holistic manner through life-cycle approach is core to Mission Poshan 2.0 and accordingly the focus of Poshan Maah this year is on creating awareness around key human lifecycle stages i.e., pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence for nutrition-based sensitisation across India.

Based on the theme of Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, and Sashakt Bharat the various projects of the ICDS Department have been organising community-based events on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding, Swasth Balak Balika Spardha, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Improving Nutrition through Mission LiFE and Meri Mati Mera Desh.

Tashi Dolma also informed the gathering that with the help of the State Nodal officer for the Poshan Tracker app, the workers are now well-trained and are regularly updating their activities on the Poshan Abhiyan Portal.

It is pertinent to mention that there are over 1145 Anganwadi centres are functional across Ladakh, catering to 18,354 beneficiaries.

On the occasion, ICDS Project supervisors were presented with laptops, while Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Workers were given smartphones. Additionally, monthly incentives of Rs 500 were also distributed amongst helpers on the basis of their performance.

Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tsering Angchuk; Councillors/members of Block Development Councils (BDCs)/PRIs; Anganwadi Workers, Child Development Protection Officers (CDPOs); Head of Departments and other district officials were present during the event.