DR BALBIR SINGH LAUNCHES SONG ON MILLETS FEATURING JASWINDER BHALLA & BAL MUKAND SHARMA

• HEALTH MINISTER ALSO PROPOSES TO INCLUDE MILLETS IN MID-DAY MEALS, HOSPITAL DIETS

Chandigarh, May 12:

          Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday launched a song on millets featuring renowned artists Jaswinder Bhalla and Bal Mukand Sharma. The song release was a part of the ongoing government’s ‘Eat Right’ campaign, which is being run by the Food and Drug Administration Punjab.

          Addressing the song launch event organised at Punjab Bhawan here, the Health Minister proposed to include millets in Mid-Day Meals and Hospital diets to realise the dream of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for making Punjab healthier.

          Dr Balbir Singh, who is a strong proponent of preventive health, said that eating millets is not only a healthy option for humans but it is also more environment friendly so awareness is must to make the millets as a part of diet. Moreover, World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared year 2023 as a year of the Millets, he added.

          Appreciating the efforts of the Health department in coming out with this unique awareness initiative as the message regarding benefits of millets will reach millions of people through this medium.

          He also praised all the team members who are a part of the song including the renowned artists Jaswinder Bhalla, Bal Mukand Sharma, lyricist Dr Kewal Arora, director Neer Singh Dhillon and producer.

          Emphasising on the need to go back to roots, Dr Balbir Singh said, “Our elders used to eat Bajra, Jowar and Kangni as their staple diet and they used to be much healthier than today’s generation. Therefore, we all should adopt our traditional eating habits to stay healthy.”

          The Minister also instructed the officials to sensitise people about the benefits of millets, besides, organising Millet Melas in villages where millet should be served.

          He also appreciated the efforts of the Kheti Virasat Manch, which has been promoting organic farming and millets for the last two decades. He said their services will also be utilised by the government in the near future.

          Artists Jaswinder Bhalla and Bal Mukand Sharma thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for such social awareness initiative, which will be definitely helpful in making Punjab a healthier and happier state.They assured their participation in such noble social initiatives of the Punjab government in future also, while urging people to watch and listen this song and also implement the message in their lives given through this song.

          Principal Secretary Health Vivek Pratap Singh said traditional food should be promoted which was a part and parcel of our culture since ancient times.

          On this occasion the officials of the food and drug wing, and mass education and media wing of the health department were also present.