Chandigarh: The municipal corporation (MC) will launch a public awareness campaign, ‘Swachh Chandigarh, Swasth Chandigarh’, to link the Swachhata movement with healthy eating habits through the active involvement of self-help groups (SHGs).The announcement was made by mayor Saurabh Joshi during an awareness programme on ‘Obesity Mukt Bharat’ organised by the MC under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) at the civic body’s office Thursday.Addressing the gathering, the mayor said obesity had emerged as a major public health challenge due to sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy dietary habits. He urged residents, particularly women and SHG members, to become ambassadors of healthy living within their families and communities.Joshi stressed the importance of balanced home-cooked meals, reduced consumption of junk and processed food, regular physical activity and the adoption of healthy habits from an early age.Highlighting the proposed campaign, the mayor said cleanliness and good health go hand in hand. He said SHGs would be mobilised to spread awareness about nutritious food, hygienic cooking practices, waste reduction and healthy lifestyles.The initiative, he added, aims to strengthen both the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Obesity Mukt Bharat campaign at the grassroots level by encouraging behavioural change and community participation.
