The public in general needs to be informed on the relative importance of nutrition awareness, active student participation and professional engagement in addressing nutrition-related concerns, according to Prof. W. Chandbabu Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University.
Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion of the observance of National Nutrition Month at the central hall of G.P. Women’s College in Imphal on Saturday, Prof. W. Chandbabu extolled the services rendered by Anganwadi workers in the State and across the country in dedicating their time and energy to provide care and well-being of the underprivileged children and other elderly persons.
The observance provides an academic platform for bringing together students, teachers and professionals to reflect on the significance of nutrition-related health concerns in everyday life, Prof Chandbabu said.
In the backdrop of the nationwide observation of the month with the slogan, ‘Hamari Anganwadi Hamari Jimmedari (Our Anganwadi Our Responsibility)’, the public campaign highlights the importance of community service and responsibility shared by the Anganwadi services across the country, he added.
The Department of Home Science, G.P. Women’s College, Dhanamanjuri University, is observing the National Nutrition Month with focus on the national theme on the role of Anganwadi services in providing nutritional values and in promoting human well-being.
Taking part in the observation, Prof. L. Hemchandra Singh, Dean, School of Life Sciences, Dhanamanjuri University, observed that the month-long public campaign is expected to provide opportunity for the public, in particular students and researchers in engaging on the subject with the broader significance of nutritional values and the responsibilities of the Anganwadi centres associated with strengthening community-based nutrition initiatives.
As part of the technical session for the day’s program, a seminar focusing on nutritional deficiencies was held, with resource persons Pratibha Khoyumthem, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur, and Prof. Kh. Lokeshwar Singh, MD (Medicine), retired Medical Superintendent, JNIMS, sharing their expertise on the subject.
The speakers emphasized on the significance of nutrition education and the need to promote healthy and balanced food practices among children.
The program also featured Competition Display stalls, and a Fit Check stall for the students and delegates to check up on their health and nutritional status, and to provide basic health-related guidance and assessment.
The Fit Check stall offered expert advice on Body Mass Index (BMI) and facilitated monitoring of parameters such as blood pressure, blood glucose and haemoglobin. It was conducted under the supervision of research scholars of the Department, including certified dietitians currently engaged in professional nutrition and dietary counseling.
The observance served as a meaningful academic and community-oriented initiative of the University’s Department of Home Science, reaffirming the importance of nutrition awareness and collective responsibility towards strengthening nutrition-related practices at the grassroots level, particularly through Anganwadi centres, organizers said.
The day’s function was presided by Prof. L. Hemchandra Singh with Prof. L. Rajen Singh, Principal, G.P. Women’s College attending as Guest of Honor.
Meanwhile, Dhanamanjuri University conducted the student induction program (SIP) for the newly admitted post-graduate students of the School of Life Sciences of the University on Friday with Prof. W. Chandbabu Singh, Vice-Chancellor, DMU, Prof. L. Hemchandra Singh, Dean, School of Life Sciences, DMU, Prof. Hyunkyung Lee, Department of Foreign Language, MU, and Dr. Minjae Park, Director, King Sejong Institute, South Korea, on the dais.
