SHIMLA: In a recent capacity building workshop at Government Senior School Baldeiyan near Shimla, the Miller Man of Himachal, Padmashri Nek Ram Sharma, and various experts addressed students, motivating them to embrace millets as a crucial component of their diet. The focus was on countering the challenges posed by the prevailing culture of fast food and junk food among the youth.
Nekram Sharma emphasized not only the adoption but also the promotion of millets in villages as a nutritional and well-being source while fostering good eating habits.
The occasion, marked by a capacity-building workshop on Millets and Medicinal Plants organized by the school, saw Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, a field botanist from the Himalayan Forest Research Institute discussing the use of herbs and medicinal plants for biodiversity, water conservation, and creating a healthier environment.
Sharma cited various millet types, underscoring their nutritional value and health benefits, while Dr. Jishtu motivated students and teachers to safeguard, preserve, and cultivate medicinal plants.
Pankaj Sharma, the district science supervisor deputy director in elementary education, emphasized the use of herbs and medicinal plants for overall well-being, water conservation, and creating a healthy environment.
He stressed the importance of water conservation, advocating against wastefulness and encouraging the protection of natural sources, including rainwater harvesting.
The school's principal DP Jishtu expressed gratitude to the experts, highlighting the significance of adopting millets and cultivating medicinal plants for a healthier environment.
The aim is to instill a culture of using millets and medicinal plants, promoting the same in village communities to create pollution-free and healthy surroundings.
