MRIU is celebrating National Nutrition Week from September 1-7, 2015 to create awareness regarding nutrition

September 1, 2015: Nutrition and development go hand in hand. This, incidentally, is the crux of the theme at the National Nutrition Week being organized by Faculty of Applied Science (FAS),Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Manav Rachna International University. The aim of the week-long National Nutrition Week (from September 1 to 7, 2015) is to create awareness regarding nutrition and to involve one and all to become a part of its mantra and ethos.

The inaugural session of National Nutrition Week was attended by senior dignitaries including Dr N.C. Wadhwa, Vice Chancellor, Manav Rachna International University (MRIU); Dr V.K. Mahna, Pro-Vice Chancellor, MRIU, Prof.(Dr) G. L. Khanna, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, MRIU; among others. On this occasion, the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics organized a one day workshop on ‘Better Nutrition: Key to Development’.

Dr S.K. Raza, Director, Institute for Pesticide Formulation and Technology, Gurgaon who enlightened the gathering on the topic- ‘Pesticides In Food And Health’ and Mr Tarun Sharma, Motivational Speaker who spoke at length on ‘Realize The Power Of Your Brain & Stay Healthy For Ever’ were the keynote speakers at the inaugural session.

Zumba expert trainer- Mr Bharat will train students and faculty members on Zumba Aerobics on the second day of the National Nutrition Week celebrations. On the third and fourth day, the students will be competing for the poster and poetry competition. On the last day, a Healthy Walk and Nukkad Natak will be organized. Free Nutrition Counseling is also being provided by the Department at its campus during the week.

In his welcome address, Dr G.L. Khanna said, “National Nutrition Week is observed every year with the objective of enhancing nutritional awareness among people of the community through adoptable training, timely education, seminars, different competitions, road shows and many other campaigns to make a healthy Nation. Today, the world is facing multiple burdens of malnutrition. Therefore, ensuring access to adequate and safe food to the population especially those who are at risk and vulnerable should be a key priority in the global framework.”

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Dr N.C. Wadhwa said, “Since times immemorial, food has been regarded as medicine. This in a way signifies the importance of nutrition in day to day life.  As per the national survey, 40% of our children below the age of 5 suffer from malnutrition and the majority of them are aneaemic. In such a scenario, it is a must to sensitize our population towards health and nutrition.”

10 schools participated in the Dr O.P. Bhalla Nutrition Update Quiz organized on the occasion. While Vidya Mandir School won the trophy and the first position, the second and third positions went to DAV School, Sector 49, and MRIS Charmwood respectively.