The Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised a series of Nutrition Awareness Camps in the villages of Salempura and Halwara on December 3 and 5, respectively, to improve the nutritional well-being of rural women and elderly residents.
At Salempura, the camp focused on the rising incidence of anaemia among women. Faculty and students sensitised participants to its symptoms, causes and prevention, highlighting locally available iron-rich foods such as jaggery, green leafy vegetables, millets, roasted gram and seasonal fruits. Students also showcased informative posters offering practical dietary suggestions for improving iron intake.
The camp at Halwara centred on increasing cases of diabetes and lifestyle-related disorders. The PAU team emphasised the importance of six essential nutrients—Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Iron, Vitamin B12 and Dietary Fibre—while sharing actionable guidance on glucose control, muscle strength, and healthy ageing practices.
Dr Kiran Bains, Dean of the College of Community Science, appreciated the effort, stating that such initiatives effectively bridge academic expertise with community needs.
Dr Harpreet Kaur, Professor and Head, Department of Food and Nutrition, commended the enthusiasm and preparedness demonstrated by the faculty and students in executing the programme.
The camps were organised under the supervision of Dr Renuka Aggarwal and Dr Amarjeet Kaur, and included interactive discussions, poster demonstrations and personalised counselling for villagers. Students actively contributed to the development of educational materials and community engagement.
The outreach initiative reaffirmed PAU’s commitment to strengthening nutrition literacy and promoting healthier lifestyles across rural Punjab.