Farooq Khan, on September 10, inaugurated the POSHAN Maah-2019 in Jammu & Kashmir. Khan, who is an advisor to the Governor of J&K, at the inaugural event stressed the importance of making unified efforts to combat perils of malnutrition in order to make India healthy and prosperous. As a part of the Jan Andolan under POSHAN Abhiyaan held at the Convention centre in the state, Khan addressed the inaugural event of POSHAN Maah-2019. 

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Advisor Khan addresses the inaugural of POSHAN Maah-2019

"It is very unfortunate that even after 70 years of independence, children are malnourished. This is happening because children are not properly fed and pregnant mothers are not taking proper diet during pregnancy. These children are directly connected with the future of the country. We must all make efforts to combat the crisis," said the advisor in his address.

POSHAN Abhiyan, a mission launched by the Government of India on March 8, 2018, to tackle malnutrition among children between the age group of 0-6 years. The target is to reduce stunting among children from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent by 2022. The program is also expected to ensure service delivery and interventions by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters. 

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POSHAN Maah-2019 Begins

The guest of honour on the occasion was Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma and other speakers such as Deputy Director, ICDS, Jammu, Atul Kumar Gupta and State Project Director, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Shabnam Shah Kamili also addressed the inaugural event. Issues such as hygiene sanitation, safe drinking water, diarrhoea management, full immunization and promotion with the attendees were addressed in the event. During the programme, the participants were also made aware of various issues such as optimal breastfeeding, anaemia prevention in children, adolescent girls, food fortification and micronutrients.

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The event saw massive participation from various communities including Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers, and beneficiaries of ICDS (Lactating Mothers, Pregnant Women and Adolescent Girls.) Deputy Director, ICDS, Jammu, Atul Kumar Gupta stressed the importance of Poshan (Nutrition) in day-to-day life in general and ICDS in particular. A detailed report of activities under Poshan Maah to be carried out in Jammu and Kashmir during September was given by Anjum Ganie whereas Joint Director ICDS, J&K, Devinder Singh Katoch, addressed the concluding session by advocating for collective efforts of all stakeholders in the fight against Malnutrition in Jammu & Kashmir.

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(With inputs from ANI)