Awareness Drive on ‘Poshan Maah’ in Bamhanikhurd: Nutrition Exhibition and Godbharai Ceremony for Expectant Mothers

The Central Bureau of Communication, Bilaspur, organized a special awareness programme under Poshan Maah at the Anganwadi Centre of the tribal village Bamhanikhurd in Bilha development block. The event was held in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development and the Gram Panchayat.

The programme witnessed the presence of Gram Sarpanch Milan Singh Maravi, Panch and Youth Mandal President Anit Kumar Maravi, social worker Ramdas Manikpuri, Anganwadi worker Santoshi, expectant and lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and villagers in large numbers.

Addressing the gathering, K. V. Giri, In-charge of the Central Bureau of Communication, Bilaspur, informed that the Government of India is observing Poshan Maah from 17th September to 16th October. The primary objective of the campaign, he said, is to improve the nutritional standards of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. He emphasized that balanced and nutritious food is key to building a healthy society and achieving the goal of a malnutrition-free India.

Gram Sarpanch Milan Singh Maravi urged villagers to include locally available green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits, pulses, and grains in their daily meals to ensure proper nutrition for the entire family, especially mothers and children.

Anganwadi worker Santoshi elaborated on various schemes of the Department of Women and Child Development and encouraged villagers to avail themselves of all the services offered at the Anganwadi Centre. On the occasion, a nutrition exhibition was put up, and a traditional Godbharai ceremony (celebration for expectant mothers) was performed for the wellbeing of mothers and their unborn children.

To engage the community, a quiz competition on nutrition-related information was conducted, and winners were felicitated with prizes. As part of the Swachhta Pakhwada campaign, the gathering took a cleanliness pledge. The programme concluded with a tree plantation drive under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, followed by distribution of saplings among villagers.