Year 2023 is the International Millets year, an awareness program was jointly organized for the Para Military personnel of 206 CoBRA, Bn. CRPF, Chitapur District Bhandara and National Institute of Women Child and Youth Development (NIWCYD) which is a resource organization selected by SFAC Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Government of India . The event was organized at the campus of 206 CoBRA, CRPF, Chitapur District Bhandara. Para Military personnel & their family members were addressed on the importance of millets known as ShreeAnna this was followed by the delicious & nutritious Dinner. Variety of food items made by using various millets were served.
Under the valuable guidance of Shri Love Kumar, Commandant (PMG) -206 CoBRA Bn , the programme was inaugurated by Shri. Ranjit Mandal Dy Commandant & Shri. Chandan, DyCommandant . and all ranks of 206 CoBRA Bn and their family members had participated in this grand event.
Shri. Ranjit Mandal Deputy Commandant , addressed the Jawans and their family members on importance of ShreeAnnai.e. millets for good health , its nutritious values and the initiatives by the Government of India to use millets in daily food . He also pointed that not only Armed Forces but canteen in Private organizations and other establishments in the society should also adapt millets as the preferred ingredient in making food items.
Vice President of NIWCYD Shri. Rajesh Malviya focused on the wellness initiatives by NIWCYD for tribal communities & villagers through millets. While providing remarkable data he said that NIWCYD has connected 10000 farmers to the production of millets . NIWCYD is has initiated the process to reach Village to Villages and Farmer to Farmer inspiring farmers to increase the production of variety of millets by using their traditional knowledge and appropriate technology for farming. Mr. Malviya further said that the organization is endeavoring to develop a concrete strategy for enhancing millets production- processing and Promotion also, establishing fair rates to the millets farmers adding further to these efforts he also pointed on developing livelihood earning options through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth and women in rural as well as urban regions through farming , millets processing and marketing respectively.
During the programme , all officers felicitated and presented a memento to the Vice President of NIWCYD Shri. Rajesh Malviya.
Representatives of FPOs and Women Federations from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh had come to participate in the event. The stalls were put –up by some women Self Help Groups to display variety of millets like Kodo, Kutki, Jawar , Bajra , Raagi, Kangni & different eatables made from millets like Shev, Laddu , Cakes & Pastries, Cookies, Matharietc almost 500 military personnel inclusive of their family members visited the stalls.
The delicious dishes like Kutki Kheer, Raagi Halwa , Jawar & Bajra Roti , Raagi idali & dosa ,Kodo Rice etc were served during the dinner to all visiting Para Military personnel & and their family members
To make the this grand event successful Shri Makkhan Lal , Assist Commandant and all ranks of 206 CoBRA took efforts and from NIWCYD Mr. Laximant Chinchalkar. Mr. Vijay Chinchkhede , Mr. Anil Nibhorkar , Mrs. Rohini Bhalerao, Mr. Sanjay Tichkule , Mr. Raju Shinde , Mr. Balwant from MP, Research Scientist from VNIT Dr. Shweta and members of FPOs & Women federation took efforts .
Anchoring for the programme was done by Dr Swati Padole.