Health and Wellness Activities under Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada Organised in ‘One Health’ Mode

12 November 2025, Hyderabad

As part of the ongoing Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada celebrations, the ICAR–National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad, successfully organized a series of Tribal Sub-Plan activities at the Indigenous Development Organisation Trust, Bhadradri Kothagudem District, Telangana, today, in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bibinagar, Hyderabad.

The initiative aimed to holistically address the health, nutrition, digital health, education, and livelihood needs of tribal communities in and around Bhadradri Kothagudem District by integrating scientific outreach, veterinary interventions, social engagement, and public health awareness under the ‘One Health’ approach.

The event was graced by Dr. S. B. Barbuddhe, Director, ICAR–NMRI, and Dr. Rahul Narang, Head, Microbiology, AIIMS, Hyderabad. The dignitaries emphasized the importance of integrated health, livestock management, and digital technologies in improving the overall well-being of tribal populations. They highlighted that such research medical collaborations play a crucial role in advancing the national vision of inclusive and sustainable tribal development.

Dr. Barbuddhe appreciated the enthusiastic participation of the tribal community and acknowledged the cooperation of IDO Trust and AIIMS, Hyderabad, in successfully organizing the event. He reiterated ICAR–NMRI’s commitment to delivering technological innovations and scientific solutions for the benefit of underprivileged and tribal communities.

Dr. Narang from AIIMS highlighted the importance of regular health monitoring and community-based awareness programmes, particularly for remote populations. He also expressed satisfaction with the joint outreach initiative and assured continued support through digital telemedicine platforms for ongoing health consultations.

A total of 156 tribal beneficiaries from surrounding villages actively participated in the programme. A joint health camp, organized by ICAR–NMRI and AIIMS, provided medical consultations, basic health check-ups, and awareness sessions on hygiene, nutrition, and maternal care. Sanitary kits and essential medicines were distributed to women participants to promote menstrual hygiene and health awareness.

The veterinary component of the programme focused on animal health management and disease surveillance. The ICAR–NMRI team collected animal blood and environmental samples for diagnosis and monitoring of livestock health, aiming to assess the prevalence of major livestock and zoonotic diseases and develop preventive strategies to improve productivity and income among tribal livestock owners.

To support pregnant and lactating women, essential nutritional and household items such as sarees, bananas, rice, gram dal, cooking oil, and iodised salt were distributed, reinforcing ICAR–NMRI’s commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition in tribal households.

The programme also served as a platform to sensitize tribal families about scientific livestock rearing practices, nutritional security, and personal hygiene, essential components of sustainable socio-economic development.

The programme concluded with expressions of gratitude to all collaborators and field functionaries whose collective efforts ensured its success. The activity reaffirmed ICAR–NMRI’s dedication to tribal welfare and community development through collaborative, multidisciplinary, and welfare-oriented interventions in alignment with the One Health vision.

(Source: ICAR–National Meat Research Institute, Hyderabad)