New Delhi [India], June 5 : In a significant stride towards MHA's 'Shri Anna' mission for sustainable health in CAPFs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has exceeded target for millet (Shri Anna) consumption across its 434 Units and Formations across the country, said CISF in a press statement on Thursday.
This remarkable accomplishment underscores CISF's commitment to the MHA initiative to promote these traditional nutritious grains among its personnel, their families, and the wider citizenry.
The journey to this achievement began with the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets,' a testament to India's persistent efforts.
Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs mandated on 04.05.2023 the inclusion of millets in the daily diet of all Central Armed Police Forces for the financial year 2023-24, with a specific target of 30 per cent Shri Anna in the daily diet of jawans for 2024-25, added the statement further.
Through daily roll calls, briefings, Sainik Sammelans and other meetings, jawans were consistently educated about the benefits of millets. Welfare activities actively involve family members, encouraging them to embrace Shri Anna in their home diets. Millet-based dishes are also making their way into government functions as healthy refreshments.
In a testament to innovative promotion, CISF has launched a unique booklet titled "Shri Anna Sarathi." This comprehensive guide features diverse millet recipes from across India, highlights the Forces' efforts, includes feedback from cooks and even shares inspiring stories of health improvements among Force members who have adopted millets. A digital version is readily available on the CISF website, ensuring wide accessibility.
100 per cent of CISF cooks have been trained in preparing delicious millet dishes. The Force has organised an astounding 1,110 seminars, webinars and workshops, alongside 662 lectures by dietitians and doctors, to impart knowledge and dispel misconceptions.
CISF units have organised 335 highly successful exhibitions, or "Millet Melas," offering the public and CISF families a practical demonstration of how easy it is to incorporate millets into their diets. These melas provided a crucial opportunity for people to taste a variety of millet-based dishes, effectively clearing any doubts and encouraging wider adoption.
Millet products are now readily available in Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (Central Police Welfare Store) outlets to further facilitate consumption.
Millets, often hailed as "the first crops" and "crops of the future," are nutritional powerhouses. These climate-smart grains require minimal water, fertilisers, or pesticides and are incredibly resilient to drought and insects.
While challenges like inconsistent supply chains and limited public awareness have historically hindered millet adoption, CISF's extraordinary efforts are actively breaking down these barriers.
By leading through example and empowering its personnel and their families with knowledge and delicious options, CISF is playing a pivotal role in the Government of India's vision of promoting millets for the benefit of cultivators, consumers and the climate.
This success story is a shining example of how consistent effort and innovative strategies can drive positive change for health and sustainability across the nation.