Minister inaugurates Eat Right Mela, highlights importance of coarse grains

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday announced the government’s decision to ban energy drinks at schools and colleges across the state soon. This move aims to promote healthy eating habits and eliminate lifestyle disorders among youngsters, he said. The ban will also prohibit the sale of energy drinks within a 500-m radius of schools and colleges.

While inaugurating the Eat Right Mela to spread awareness about healthy eating habits and eliminate lifestyle disorders, the minister, along with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, emphasised the negative impact of energy drinks on young people’s health, citing their prevalence in school and college canteens, as well as hospitals.

To ensure compliance with the order, health teams would be directed to conduct regular checks on canteens and shopkeepers, he said. The minister urged business owners to not display advertisements of energy drinks. He encouraged canteen operators to offer healthier alternatives like lassi, lemon water, fresh juice, and millet-based products.

The minister highlighted the importance of millet and organic food production for maintaining soil quality and promoting the overall well-being of people and natural resources. He said people had completely forgotten about coarse grains, which mainly included bajra, kangani, kodra, jowar, saanwan and ragi, whereas their consumption was important to maintain physical and mental well-being. He added that producing coarse grains not only saved water but was healthy for the body, too.

The minister said there was a need to spread awareness about the benefits of coarse grains, which were rich in nutrients and create an environment to promote the production of these. However, he also sought the help of Asha and Anganwari workers in eliminating the drug menace from the state.

Conducting the Eat Right Mela to make people aware of the benefits of coarse grain was a commendable initiative, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora said, adding that this awareness drive would go a long way in making people healthy.

The minister also urged people to avail themselves of the benefits of the food safety van to check adulteration in food, milk and other beverage products in the district.

Earlier, a walkathon was also organised to sensitise residents about good eating habits and the importance of millets.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion were Joint Commissioner (food safety) Dr Amit Joshi, Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur Ahluwalia and District Health Officer Dr Amarjeet Kaur.