Ragi laddu launched in SC/ST Dev Dept-run hostels in Keonjhar on pilot basis

Keonjhar, Oct 29: The project for 'Inclusion of Ragi laddu in Scheduled Caste /Scheduled Tribe Development department-run hostels of Keonjhar district was inaugurated on Saturday by Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment department, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee. Among others, Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakare, Zilla Parishad Chief Operating Officer (COO) cum Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of District Mineral Fund (DMF), Project Administrators of Keonjhar and Champua Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), and District Welfare Officer (DWO) of Keonjhar were present in the event held at the Sanskruti Bhawan, Keonjhar. The event was also attended by all the Headmasters/Headmistresses of the SC/ST department (SSD) schools along with student representatives. {"id":223199,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} Dr. Padhee while appreciating the initiative, explained to the audience about different varieties of millet and its health benefits. He also emphasized the 'availability, accessibility and affordability of millets to ensure its larger coverage and consumption in the public sphere. Keonjhar collector Thakare informed that the ragi laddu has been introduced with a core objective to improve the nutritional status of students residing in SC/ST Development department-run hostels in the Keonjhar district. Ragi laddu will be provided as a morning snack as a part of the daily recommended protein and calcium provided to children at such a growing age. This project will also provide livelihood opportunities to the self-help groups (SHGs) engaged in take-home ration (THR) units supported by Mission Shakti. Under this project, one ragi laddu per day will be served to the residents of SSD hostels in addition to the existing Mid-Day Meal (MDM). Ragi laddu mix will be delivered from THR units to the SSD hostels. The ragi laddus will be prepared by existing cooks of the SC/ST Development department hostels. This project started as a pilot project for one month in 35 SC/ST department hostels of Sadar block from Saturday (October 29, 2022), and further, it will be expanded to all 334 SC/ST hostels in the district from December 2022. The project will cover around 39,000 students residing in SC/ST hostels in the future.