A drive by the Hailakandi district administration in Assam, to create awareness on gooseberry candy in checking anaemia among pregnant women and children, is the cynosure of all eyes at the Assam pavilion at the ongoing India International Science Festival in Calcutta.

Visitors and dignitaries, particularly adolescent girls, are turning up in large numbers to the stall and have evinced keen interest in learning about the benefits of the gooseberry candy.

A documentary, made by the Hailakandi administration, also showcases the slew of initiatives taken during the campaign.

On Wednesday, Assam minister for information technology Keshav Mahanta visited the pavilion where Team Poshan explained the beneficial effects of gooseberry candy in reducing anaemia. Mahanta appreciated the efforts of the Hailakandi administration to fight anaemia through this campaign.

The district administration has been carrying out a vigorous drive to popularise gooseberry candy, since the launch of the Rashtriya Poshan Maah (national nutrition month) in September, to bring down the high incidence of anaemia among pregnant women and children in the district. Maa-Beti (mother-daughter) melas were held in different parts to create awareness on the benefits of gooseberry (amla).

According to the 2015 National Family Health Survey, 47.2 per cent of the women of reproductive age in Hailakandi are anaemic. The district has 32.5 per cent anaemic children below five years, adolescents and women of reproductive age, the highest in Assam.

Deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli gave credit to the Team Poshan, supervisors, Anganwadi workers and helpers who took the novel initiative to newer heights.