Port Blair, Dec 12: The Food Safety Department, Andaman & Nicobar Administration organized a Walkathon event to commemorate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav’ and as a part of “Eat Right India’’ initiative of FSSAI on Sunday. The Commissioner Food Safety/ Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District flagged-off the walkathon from National Memorial Cellular Jail at 7:00 AM and it culminated at Netaji Stadium covering vantage points viz. Clock Tower, Annapurna hotel, BSNL Office, IP&T junction, DC Bungalow, Fire Brigade(HQ), Vikas Bhawan.
A large number of college students, cadets of NCC, Officials from District Administration, Officials of FSSAI Eastern Region, Food Safety Department & General Public participated in the event. Various other events like painting & speech competition on ‘Safe & Healthy Food’ were also conducted for the college students
An “Eat Right Mela” was also organized in the evening at Marina Park on the same day which was inaugurated by the Commissioner Food Safety/ Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District by enlighting the traditional lamp in presence of Joint Commissioner (Food Safety), Director FSSAI Eastern Region and Food Safety Officials. Various departments like Agriculture, Industry, KVIB, Health, Food Safety department, SHG, NGOs and Food Business Operators through their stalls exhibited their products and IEC materials for creating awareness among the visitors. A Cultural programme was also arranged for entertainment of visitors.
These events were conducted with an aim to bring large-scale social and behavioral change by engaging consumers and educating them on eating right. It works on three major focus areas – Building Consumer Awareness, Addressing food Adulteration and enabling Healthy Choices. All the winners of various competitions held in connection with ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav’ were awarded with trophies and cash prizes. The Commissioner Food Safety/Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District greeted all participants on behalf of Food Safety Department and appealed to disseminate the message of Eat Right Initiatives of FSSAI among the general public.
