Shillong:
The office of the Commissioner of Food Safety, Meghalaya on Thursday organised the Eat Right Mela at the premises of the State Central Library, Shillong.
Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare & Commissioner (Food Safety) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Delivering his inaugural address, Kumar said that health in India is a state subject and that Meghalaya had launched a state health policy by deliberating with various stakeholders continuously on a weekly basis. This policy has three essential factors; preventive or promoting health, curative, and enabling.
He also informed that 95 per cent of chronic diseases in the state is due to eating habits, hence such kind of mela is necessary to sensitise the general public on the benefits of eating right or eating healthy. He also urged the gathering to have annual medical check-ups in order to ensure a healthy life.
He further stressed the need for physical exercises in order to tackle illnesses and praised the office for conducting a walkathon which will go a long way in motivating the public to engage themselves in promoting physical activities in their daily life.
Earlier, Chief Secretary, R V Suchiang flagged off the Walkathon from Madan Iewrynghep which culminated at the premises of the State Central Library, Shillong.
Others who spoke during the programme included R M Kurbah, Joint Commissioner (Food Safety), Payal Maji, Assistant Director, FSSAI, D B S Mukhim, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety among others.