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Millet Magic of AWW Workers

Publish Date : 27/05/2023
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Namchi, 23rd May (IPR): Sommati Rai, an Anganwadi Worker (Aww) employed at Bhutia Busty, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) located in Namchi district ensures the usage of millets in every hot cooked meals given to the 18 children enrolled at the centre. Apart, from Sommati there are two other staff working at the centre, who are all familiar with the nurtition value of this indigenous crop locally known as ‘kodo’ out of which, the traditionally popular dish called ‘dhero’ is made. Like them, the Aww Workers of the various ICDS which is under Women and Child Development Department in and around Namchi District, are incorporating millets in the dietary supplements, particularly while serving the children registered in these centres. There are a total of 332 centres in the district wherein the Aww workers are curating diverse millet based meals such as Nimki, Momo, Laddu, Sel-roti, halwa and many other dishes. This caters to the unique nutritional requirements of children. In this regard, every Tuesday of the month is observed as millet day, where different types of millet platter is served at the 332 centres. The Aww Workers also share modern and traditional recipes amongst each other, thereby creating a bank and addressing the resilient nature of millets, which are known to contain more iron than other grains like rice or wheat.
It also may be mentioned that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets have special nutritive properties and are high in protein, dietary fibre, micronutrients and antioxidants.