The closing ceremony of Poshan Maah 2023 took place at the Lotha Hoho Conference Hall on September 30, 2023, with the esteemed presence of Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor of Agriculture, as the Guest of Honour.

During his address, Yanthan expressed gratitude to the organizers for inviting him to be a part of the closing ceremony. He emphasized that it is a privilege to participate in an event aimed at addressing the widespread issue of malnutrition in the country. Yanthan expressed regret that millions of children still suffer from malnutrition and stressed the urgent need to combat this challenge.

Highlighting the alarming statistics related to malnutrition, Yanthan called for collective responsibility to bring about a positive change. He expressed optimism that Poshan Abhiyan would not only provide adequate nourishment but also raise awareness about the importance of a balanced diet and the crucial role nutrition plays in overall development. He urged all stakeholders to collaborate, share resources, knowledge, and experiences to achieve these goals.

Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS, also addressed the gathering, noting that while malnutrition is not as high in Nagaland as in mainland India, the state should focus on four major areas: Child Anemia, HIV, Drug Abuse, and Hypertension. He stressed the need for a holistic approach to tackle these issues, given the high prevalence in these sectors.

The event included welcome addresses by District Programme Coordinator Shanjothung Ngullie and a keynote address by District Welfare Officer Wokha, James Ezung. Supervisor ICDS Wokha Project, Erenbeni Kikon, provided a brief recap of the activities conducted during Poshan Maah.

(DPRO & IA, Wokha)