Ranga Reddy Collector emphasizes nutrition and healthy eating practices at women's festival event

Hyderabad: Ranga Reddy District Collector C. Narayana Reddy underscored the critical role of balanced nutrition and wholesome eating patterns at a nutrition awareness initiative held on Monday. The event was organized as part of the women's festival celebrations and fell under the Women Development and Child Welfare Department's purview, aligned with the Prajapalana Pragathi Pranalika 99-day action plan framework.

The occasion saw the Collector, accompanied by Additional Collector Kiranmayi, tour exhibition stalls featuring nutrient-rich food products developed by various district-based projects. He sampled multiple food preparations and commended their nutritional quality. Following the inspection, he instructed department officials to ensure that pregnant women receive comparable nutritious meals through Anganwadi centres.

Speaking to attendees, the Collector noted that theme-based programmes have been successfully executed every week since March 6 under the 99-day initiative. He called upon officials and personnel across all administrative levels to coordinate efforts in ensuring the women's festival events achieve their intended impact.

The Collector emphasized that disease prevention is achievable through consuming quality food and maintaining disciplined eating routines. He advocated for increased consumption of organically cultivated produce. Anganwadi instructors were directed to undertake awareness campaigns among women in rural areas regarding nutritional food benefits. He further noted that the government currently distributes fortified and nutritious provisions to pregnant women and children via Anganwadi centres as part of established child welfare programmes.

Additional Collector Kiranmayi reinforced the message that sustained good health depends on regular consumption of quality food. The women's festival programme featured nutrition-focused food exhibitions and culinary competitions, with participation from Anganwadi beneficiaries and their families. Supervisors and Anganwadi teachers set up stalls showcasing millet-based preparations, legumes, vegetables and fruits while disseminating nutrition information. Educational materials depicting the detrimental consequences of processed foods and advantages of wholesome nutrition were also made available to visitors.

In coordination with the Health Department, medical personnel conducted anaemia screening for pregnant women, nursing mothers and adolescent girls. Iron and folic acid supplementation was distributed to expectant and lactating women. The Collector presented awards to cooking competition participants.

Among those present were District Revenue Officer Sharada, DRDO and DWO Project Director Srilatha, CPO Soumya, GM Industries Srilakshmi, Adult Education Deputy Director Anita, PD MEPMA, CDPO Shanthi Kumari, supervisors, Anganwadi teachers and other departmental personnel.