Photo: BSS

RANGPUR, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - To prevent malnutrition in children, it has 
become the need of the hour to familiarize rural parents with the nutritious 
food available around them and to create social awareness.
 
Speakers made the observation at a daylong "Nutrition Fair' held at 
Moulvibazar Samajik Unnayan Kendra premises in Gangachara upazila of the 
district on Wednesday.
 
Gram Bikash Kendra (GBK), an NGO, under the European Union (EU) and PKSF 
funded 'Pathways for 'Prosperity for extremely poor people (PPEPP) -EU 
project' organised the colorful event.

The fair was organized to create widespread awareness among children and 
rural guardians about child health and ways to prevent stunting in children 
by showcasing various nutritious food items and inputs available in rural 
areas.
 
Several stalls were set up at the fair where relevant food products were 
introduced to create awareness among the visiting mothers, students and local 
people. 
 
In addition, separate stalls were set up at the fair on the needs and ways to 
meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, antenatal care, balanced diet 
for women during pregnancy, home gardening and emergency medical services.
 
Gangachara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jasmine Akhter formally inaugurated the 
fair as the chief guest with Project Coordinator of the Gram Bikash Kendra Dr 
Shamsur Rahman in the chair.
 
Gangachara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Abu Md Alemul 
Bashar, Gangachara Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Mahafuzar Rahman, PKSF 
Deputy Manager Neyamul Hasan Shovon, Senior Programme Manager Dr SSM 
Hizbullah, UP member Waheduzzaman Russell and Family Welfare Assistant Tahira 
Akhtar Banu were present as special guests. 
 
Highlighting the objective of the fair, the speakers emphasized on creating 
awareness among the rural people about the right selection of nutritious 
foods including vegetables to meet the deficiencies of protein, vitamins, 
iodine, iron and minerals in children. 
 
Describing the serious complications of malnutrition, they said that by 
preventing protein, vitamins, iodine, iron and mineral deficiencies in 
children and infants, the rate of night blindness, infant and child mortality 
can be further reduced.
 
The chief guest said that due to insufficient social awareness, lack of 
knowledge and improper eating habits, many children, infants, mothers, 
pregnant women and adolescents are suffering from malnutrition which causes 
complications later on. 
 
She advised people of all ages, including mothers, infants and children, to 
select and consume nutritious foods like vegetables to prevent protein, 
vitamin, iodine, iron and mineral deficiencies, so that a healthy nation can 
be built.