National Nutrition Week 2020: Manushi Chhillar Highlights The Importance Of Having Good Nutritious Food

New Delhi: On the occasion of National Nutrition Week 2020, which is observed throughout the country in the first week of September, former Miss World and actor Manushi Chhillar talks about the importance of nutrition. Posting a short video message on her social media, Manushi discusses the role of nutrition in the human body and why it is important to have a balanced diet with a combination of essential nutrients.

Also Read: National Nutrition Week 2020: How These Initiatives Are Helping India Eat Nutritious Food Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Manushi Chillar who comes from a medical background credits her doctor parents for inculcating the knowledge of proper nutrition within her. The video was posted with a message,

There are a few things that I’m deeply passionate about and health and nutrition is definitely on top of that chart. Proper nutrition has manifold health benefits. I intend to tell as many people as possible, about the positives one can unlock by eating right. So let’s get to it. #NationalNutritionWeek

In a video, Manushi further adds,

I have been told repeatedly that we are what we eat and we have to be very cognizant about what we intake. My parents are doctors and they have always told me that our eating habits and the food we eat defines our total health. With this learning, I have been able to lead a very balanced life because awareness about nutrition is key for anyone to understand whether they are planning their meals correctly.

Talking about India’s nutritional status and Malnutrition, the 23-year-old said,

Malnutrition can really damage us from inside and I will use my social media to drive home as much awareness as possible through National Nutrition Week.

She further said that throughout the week she will talk about health and nutrition in order to bring in awareness among people and connect with as many like-minded people as possible.

In Pics: National Nutrition Week 2020: All You Need To Know

View Manushi Chillar’s Message

https://www.instagram.com/p/CElX2P8pC1x/

This is not the first time, Manushi Chillar has come forward and raised awareness about social issues, earlier the former Miss World teamed-up with UNICEF India for a video and shared the Dos and Don’ts that people should keep in mind while stepping out during the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Manushi Chillar has also been very vocal about menstrual hygiene in the country, she has also initiated her campaign Project Shakti to create awareness among people. What Manushi did through her campaign was simple; she went to places and educated the people on why it is important for a woman to follow good menstrual hygiene practices. Apart from education, Manushi also provided women with eco-friendly sanitary napkins and guided them to always opt for safer and environmental friendly options.

Along with Manushi, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan also posted a message on National Nutrition Week on his social media and said,

From today #NationalNutritionWeek has started. Its goal is to raise awareness on the importance of nutrition for better health, which has an impact on national development. Let us all take this opportunity #EatRightIndia Raise awareness of nutrition by giving it the form of a mass movement. We should not forget that #Health is the central point of nutrition. The goal of National Nutrition Week is to create a healthy nation. Nutrition is the main theme of life, health and development for the present and successful generations.

हमें यह नहीं भूलना चाहिए कि #Health का केन्द्रीय बिन्दु पोषण है।राष्ट्रीय पोषण सप्ताह का लक्ष्य एक स्वस्थ राष्ट्र बनाना है। वर्तमान और सफ़ल पीढ़ियों के लिए जीवन, स्वास्थ्य और विकास का मुख्य विषय पोषण है ।#NationalNutritionWeek @MinistryWCD @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/PseGU6m8S1

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) September 1, 2020

The Poshan Abhiyaan 2018-22 has set goals to reduce child under-nutrition (stunting and underweight) and low birth weight by 2 per cent a year, and anaemia across age groups by 3 per cent, and create a mass movement for good nutrition in the country. To meet the targets and create a discussion around nutrition in the country, India has said that September in the country will be marked as Poshan Maah or Nutrition Month. Currently, India’s nutritional status doesn’t paint a very beautiful picture. As per Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019, India has been ranked 102 out of the qualifying 117 countries that were assessed. The Global Hunger Index comprehensively tracks and measures hunger across the world and India’s rating in the 2019 year has been poor with a score of 30.3 which according to their guidelines, falls in ‘serious’ category*. Apart from this, India’s neighbouring countries Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have secured a better rank than India. While Nepal is ranked 73, Bangladesh and Pakistan are ranked 88 and 94 respectively.

Also Read: ‘September To Be Observed As Poshan Maah,” Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Mann Ki Baat

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.