Shillong, Sept 13: The Dietary Unit of the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) organised a one day Programme on account of National Nutrition Month 2024 celebration on the 12th of September 2024.
The highlight of the celebration was on Millets, hence the theme, “Millets- The Nutrient Packed Grains for Good Health”. The Director of the Institute, Prof (Dr) Nalin Mehta, Prof. (Dr.) C. Daniala, Medical Superintendent and Dr. Caleb Harris, Deputy Medical Superintendent were the Dignitaries.
The HODs and Officers of the Nursing Section of NEIGRIHMS as well as the students were among the attendees. The Director highlighted the beneficial effects of millets on human health and urged to switch to our traditional cooking method rather than depending on unhealthy junk or processed foods.
An informative talk on Millets for good health was delivered by Ms Balasara. S. Lyngdoh, Assistant Dietitian, NEIGRIHMS. She had enlightened the fact that millets were the main staple food of the State during the 19th century.
She highlighted the positive steps taken by the State Government as well as various organisations to introduce back millets as part of the food pattern. In addition, the Department organised a Recipe Writing Competition and Display Competition on cooked Millets along with a display of local varieties of Millets from Meghalaya as well as from the other States of the North East.
An exhibition of different millet products were also showcased in the celebration along with some millet based snacks that were given to NEIGRIHMS patients taking therapeutic diet as part of the hospital menu. A visual display on the nutritional importance of millets was also put up by the organizers for the benefit of the patients.
To further promote awareness, millet recipes folder in both Khasi and English were distributed to patients. This initiative aimed to educate and encourage healthier dietary choices through the incorporation of nutrient-rich millets.
