‘Aaj Se Thoda Kam’ Campaign: Uttarakhand’s New Initiative for Healthier Food on Char Dham Yatra
Uttarakhand ‘Aaj Se Thoda Kam’ Campaign: A Step Towards Healthy and Safe Food for Pilgrims
The Uttarakhand government has launched the ‘Aaj Se Thoda Kam’ campaign to ensure safe and healthy food for pilgrims traveling on the Char Dham Yatra route. Every year, millions of devotees visit Uttarakhand for this sacred journey, and taking care of their health is a significant challenge. Under the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, this campaign aims to provide nutritious and balanced meals to pilgrims throughout their journey.
Why This Campaign?
Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar, Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration and Health Secretary, explained that the initiative focuses on foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. The goal is to regulate these ingredients in meals served along the pilgrimage route, ensuring that food is healthy and safe for consumption.
Key Objectives of the Campaign
- Reducing Excess Salt, Sugar, and Fat: This will help prevent lifestyle diseases like heart ailments, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
- Encouraging Healthier Cooking Practices: Restaurants and food outlets along the route are being encouraged to work with chefs and food experts to create healthier recipes.
- Spreading Awareness: Flex banners, posters, and digital media are being used to educate both vendors and pilgrims about the importance of consuming nutritious food.
Introduction of the ‘RUCO’ Initiative
To further strengthen food safety, the government has also launched the ‘Repurpose Used Cooking Oil (RUCO)’ initiative. This aims to eliminate the harmful effects of repeatedly used cooking oil. Used oil will be collected through an aggregator network and converted into biodiesel, soap, and other non-food products, ensuring both health and environmental safety.
The ‘Triple EEE Strategy’ for Food Safety
To effectively implement these initiatives, the administration is following a Triple EEE Strategy (Educate, Enforce, Establish):
- Educate: Spreading awareness about the dangers of reusing cooking oil.
- Enforce: Ensuring strict compliance with food safety regulations.
- Establish: Setting up a systematic collection and disposal process for used oil.
Government’s Commitment to Safe and Healthy Pilgrimage
Dr. R. Rajesh Kumar emphasized that providing safe and nutritious food to pilgrims is the government’s top priority. Initiatives like ‘Aaj Se Thoda Kam’ and ‘RUCO’ will not only ensure health protection but also contribute to environmental conservation.
Strict Monitoring and Implementation
Additional Commissioner Tajbar Singh Jaggi stated that his team is actively monitoring food safety standards on the Char Dham Yatra route. He assured that strict action will be taken against any violation, and unhygienic or adulterated food will not be tolerated.
Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Pilgrimage Experience
With these efforts, the Uttarakhand government is committed to ensuring that pilgrims have access to safe, nutritious, and hygienic food along their journey. These initiatives will help them complete their sacred pilgrimage in good health and safety.
