The observance of Breastfeeding Week 2023 commenced with great enthusiasm at the Anganwadi Building near Jamun Chowk, Palsora, Chandigarh. The inaugural event, graced by Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Secretary Social Welfare cum Home Secretary Chandigarh Administration as Chief Guest, Dr. Palika Arora, PCS Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development Chandigarh Administration and Shri Naveen Rattu, DANICS, Joint Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration as the Special Guests, was marked by the release of balloons in presence of beneficiaries.
World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated every year from 1st to 7th August, offers a platform to strengthen actions for improving breastfeeding practices in accordance with the Jan Andolan guidelines under POSHAN Abhiyaan. Breastfeeding, being a cost-effective way of nourishing infants, contributes to poverty reduction and is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) while laying the foundation for lifelong good health for both infants and mothers.
The event also recognized and honored 05 mothers, the winners of Healthy Mother and Healthy Child Competitions, who ensured exclusive breastfeeding for their children up to the age of 6 months, following all the prescribed guidelines during pregnancy and infant care. These deserving mothers were awarded with the special Poshan Tokri, comprising an Iron Kadahi, Roasted Bajra, Gur, and Channa. In addition, the Annaprashan Divas celebrated during the event saw the Chief Guest and Special Guest feeding five children who had reached the age of 6 months, marking the initiation of complementary feeding.
Another noteworthy initiative unveiled during the event was the provision of millet-based Poshak Barfi and Flavored Milk to all Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) & Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) children to enhance their nutritional status.
Further, the event witnessed the distribution of Anemia Mukt Chandigarh batches to members of the POSHAN membership scheme. This unique initiative aims to reduce anemia among pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls through awareness creation, support, and active participation.
A Millet Recipe Stall dedicated to Chandigarh Millet Mission was also set up to demonstrate various delicious millet-based recipes prepared by the Anganwadi Workers. IAS Nitin Yadav, Secretary of Social Welfare, Women, and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, conveyed his heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 team. Nitin Yadav’s words of praise and kindness brought joy to the anganwadi workers.
The event concluded with a plantation drive at the POSHAN Vatika within the Anganwadi Building, Palsora, where the Chief Guest Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, and Special Guest Dr. Palika Arora, PCS, planted Lemon grass and Mogra medicinal plants.
