Mayabunder, Aug 18: A ‘Millet Mela’ was organised by ICDS Project Rangat at Danapur Community Hall, Mayabunder today. The ‘Millet Mission’ policy of the Govt of India aims to mainstream millets and to improve the nutritional diversity of the children by way of inclusion of millets- based recipes in the diet plan of Anganwadi Centres.
Inaugurating the mela, the Deputy Commissioner, North and Middle Andaman, Shri Ankit Yadav highlighted the nutritional and health benefits of millets and suggested that millets are not only comparable to major cereals with respect to their nutritional features but are very good sources of carbohydrates, micronutrients, and photochemical with nutraceuticals properties. He appreciated all Anganwadi Workers for their contribution towards the society and for building a healthy nation. He also interacted with the beneficiaries, children and mothers present in the Anganwadi center. The DC also planted saplings in the Anganwadi center Pokadera under ‘Amrit Vatika’.
The Millet Mela aimed to obtain the feedback on acceptability among the children and mothers on the newly introduced millet menu in the Anganwadi centers.
The millet inclusion in the ICDS- SNP system stems the status of malnutrition among children in the UT. The core objective of the programme for inclusion of superfoods millets along with other locally available nutritious food products is to provide diversity in terms of nutrition and taste, while fighting malnourishment and to achieve the target of ‘Kuposhan Mukt’ village for all the villages and hamlets thereby aiming for ‘Kuposhan Mukt’ A&N Islands.
The Millet based Menu in Anganwadi Centers was introduced on 21/07/23 and the recipes are multigrain laddu, ragi kheer and bajra khichdi which are served to the beneficiaries from 6 months to 6 years children, lactating and pregnant mothers registered in the Anganwadi Centres of ICDS Project Rangat.
Smti. Uma Dev, CDPO ICDS Project Rangat described the importance of Millets for healthy growth and development of children. Anganwadi Workers displayed millet based recipes and locally available low cost nutritious food.