Rajshahi students showcase breastfeeding benefits through drawings as World Breastfeeding Week promotes maternal and child nutrition awareness. Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 9, 2026 (BSS)- Students from various educational institutions participated in a drawing competition organised in Rajshahi to spread the message that mother's milk is the first and most important source of nutrition in a child's life.
 
Their drawings portrayed the importance of breast milk for the healthy growth of children and various images of the intimate bond between mother and child.
 
Among them, six winning students were awarded prizes this afternoon in a competition organised by the Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN).
 
The chief guest at the closing and award distribution ceremony of World Breastfeeding Week held at the conference room of the Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Office was the Civil Surgeon of Rajshahi, Dr. SIM Raziul Karim.
 
He said mother's milk is the safest and most nutritious food at the beginning of a child's life, which plays an important role in the physical and mental development of the child.
 
Awareness needs to be raised in families and society about breastfeeding the child immediately after birth and giving only breast milk until the age of six months.
 
Along with mothers, other family members also need to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding.
 
Various programmes of World Breastfeeding Week are playing an important role in creating public awareness on this issue.
 
Through joint initiatives, such activities must continue in the future to ensure the nutrition and health of mothers and children.
 
The theme of this year's World Breastfeeding Week is 'Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems' (Official Bengali theme: 'Breastfeeding in the beginning of life: Let's accelerate sustainable initiatives').
 
Rallies, discussion meetings, counseling camps for pregnant and lactating mothers, nutrition screening camps for mothers and children, and drawing competitions were organised in the district on the occasion of World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to 7.
 
In addition, awareness activities on breastfeeding in schools and monitoring of breast milk substitute products were conducted.
 
In the drawing competition, Ayesha Siddika, a fourth-grade student of Rajshahi Bahumukhi Girls High School, secured first place in Group 'Ka' while Noshin Sharmili, a 10th-grade student of Government Pramathanath Girls' High School, secured first place in Group 'Kha'.
 
In addition, four more students were awarded.
 
Special guests at the event were Inspector of Rajshahi Range Police Ataur Rahman, Assistant District Primary Education Officer Md. Ashraful Islam, Assistant Director of District Information Office Abdul Ahad and General Secretary of Rajshahi Press Club Golam Mostafa Mamun.