Puducherry: To celebrate Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, all Ministries and departments have been mandated to take up activity events and projects to commemorate the 75th Year of India’s Independence. As a part of this celebration, a nationwide Walkathon and Eat Right Mela was organized by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), along with Food Safety Drug & Food Control Organisation (DFCO), and Herbalife Nutrition, a premium global nutrition company who have been hosting such initiatives pan India. People from all walks of life joined the initiative to spread the message of Safe and Healthy Food for life as well as the importance of physical fitness to ensure that Indians are healthy and active.
The walkathon is commencing at the iconic Gandhi Statue Puducherry where we see the best amalgamation of the 150th Year of Mahatma Gandhi & 75Th Azadi ka Mahotsav. The event is inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister of Puducherry Sh. N Rangaswamy in the presence of Th S Namasivayam Honorable Minister of Home & Education, Th K. Lakshi Narayanan Honourable Minister of Tourism, Sh Annibal Kennedy Member of Legislative Assembly Oppalam & Sh C Udayakumar IAS Secretary Health & Commissioner of Food Safety & Sh M Kandaswamy Deputy Collector.
Actor Aari Arujunan also walked along with the participants and Boosted their morale.
The event was aimed to reach the masses with the core messages of Eat Right India and encourage the adoption of fortified foods and millets as nutria-cereals in their diets. FSSAI Southern region has been geared up for a mass awareness campaign of safe, fortified, and healthy eating without wasting any food.
Mr. Ajay Khanna, Sr. Vice President & Country Head, Herbalife Nutrition India commented “Herbalife Nutrition partners with FSSAI for the nationwide Walkathon & ‘Eat Right Mela’ program to spread the message around the importance of good nutrition amongst the citizens. It is especially significant at a time when the country is celebrating the 75th year of Independence through Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The issue of hidden hunger is a global phenomenon and India is not an exception. Puducherry government has been working on improving the nutrition of the state through various public and private initiatives and partnerships. Herbalife Nutrition is proud to be partnering with the government on important initiatives to improve nutrition and reduce hunger and we look forward to continued long-term collaboration.”
Speaking on the occasion Dr. M Kannan, from FSSAI Southern Region thanked all the participants for making the event successful and continues to say “ Healthy Food Builds stronger India “
Terming students ambassadors requested them to be aware of their families, and near ones about the right food choices, food fortification, and food adulteration.
In addition to the Walkathon, Eat Right Mela is being organized at Nehru Stadium for massive outreach to educate people and spread the message of Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable diets through activities like cultural shows and games; demonstration of millet-based healthy recipes; and other local seasonal produce as well as expert talks and shows.
These fun fairs will work as a medium to nudge citizens as well as food businesses to adopt safe, healthy, and sustainable food practices and habits.
The Walkathon consists of participants from all walks of life, Walkers, Doctors, Medical Health Workers, Army Jawans & their Families, NCC cadets, NSS voluntaries, Anganwari Workers, and Students who would spread the mass message to the public to eat Safe, Healthy and Sustainable Food.
