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Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 9 (EMN): Special Secretary of School Education, Kevileno Angami on Tuesday advised students to adopt a healthy lifestyle by avoiding junk food and take nutritious and healthy food.
She was speaking during the launch of Giftmilk programme at D Khel Indoor Stadium in Kohima.
Maintaining that a balanced diet is important for the growth of body and mind, she said: "Many a time, especially in Naga dietary habits, we focus more on carbohydrates like meats and rice but less on dairy products which is very important for growth."
Dwelling on the benefits of milk, she acknowledged various agencies that are investing in school students through the Giftmilk programme.
As many as 3816 students from eight schools -- four each from Dimapur and Kohima -- will be receiving free glass of milk daily for 20 days under Giftmilk programme which is sponsored by Natiohnal Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) under the initiative of National Dairy Development Board (NDBB) Foundation For Nutrient (NFN) and organised by Dimapur District Co-operative Milk Producers’ union Ltd. (DIMUL).
The special secretary of School Education said that the mid-day meal served in schools is to supplement nutrition which ultimately will improve enrolment and prevent dropouts rates. "We (Education department) are also aware that there is insufficiency in budgetary provision," she added.
While thanking the sponsors for supplementing the dietary needs of children, she advised the students to be regular in school and to take nutritious diet that will boost their immune system and help fight against diseases and virus.
The principal director of School Education, Shanavas C, also expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the programme on behalf of the department for the initiative. He went on to urge the students to study hard to recover the loss caused due to Covid-19 pandemic situation while reminding them to follow all the SOPs.
The general manager of NHIDCL, M Khan, said that the construction company envisages bringing prosperity to Nagaland besides its core job of building highways.
He said that the NHIDCL conceptualised the “Giftmilk” initiative as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with the hope of bringing smiles on the faces of children by enhancing their nutritional intake.
Senior Manager of NDDB, Dr. M Jayakrishna said that India was having deficit in milk production when it got independence but the scenario changed with the White revolution (Milk revolution) started by NDBB, as the country started producing surplus milk and became exporters.
He informed that Giftmilk programme was first started in 2015 by the Government of India, directing those companies making profit to contribute 2% of its earning under Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) and NDDB initiated the programme in four north-eastern states, including Nagaland. He added that the supplies in the state will be in a pilot project basis, firstly for 20 days before extending and expanding based on the initial outcome.
Dwelling on the benefits of milk consumption, he said that it improves memory and health, besides expressing hope that the programme will be successful in the state.
Meanwhile, 342 students from Government High School, New Market, Kohima; 334 students from Government High School PWD, Kohima; 466 students from Government High School Chandmari, Kohima; 315 students from Government Middle School D Khel, Kohima; 562 students from Government Middle School Chümoukedima Town, Dimapur; 777 students from Government Middle School, Dimapur Town; 511 students from Government Middle School Kuda, Dimapur; and 509 students from Government Primary School Lengrijan, Dimapur will be benefited under this programme.
The Giftmilk launching programme was chaired by Chief Executive Officer of Dimapur District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited, Dr. Mhasizokho Lhoushe.