Mrida, a social business venture aimed to enhance sustainable rural development,  organised a series of week-long events with a theme ‘Feeding Smart from the Start’. The social venture had partnered with Earthspired and Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi to observe National Nutrition Week from 1 to 7 September. Earthspired had collaborated with Lady Irwin College for second time.        

The theme of the celebrations focus on the introduction of solid foods into the diet of infants aged from 6 months to 2 years. Earthspired organised three contests to engage students based on the theme. It included a recipe contest based on the theme ‘Reviving and Improvising, Inclusion of Millets in Infant Food.’ A slogan writing contest based on the theme ‘NutritiousChoices in Regional Diets for Complementary Feeding’ was also organised. In addition to this, food photography contest based on the theme ‘Nutritious Choices in Regional Diets for Complementary Feeding’ was also a part of the week long celebrations.

Students from renowned colleges of Delhi such as IHE (Institute of Home Economics), Lady Irwin College, Vivekanada College, Lakshmibai College, IHM (Institute of Hotel Management) Pusa, and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies participated in the event. The interaction seminars with Ms. Iksha Chhabra, Business Head of Earthspired, on internship opportunities with Mrida was also organised during the event. Avni Kaul, the renowned wellness coach and nutritionist also graced the event and acted as a jury for the recipe contest. In addition this, she also conducted an interactive session on   entrepreneurship for participants. 

The HOD of the Food and Nutrition Department of Lady Irwin College, Dr. Manisha Sabharwal announced that the event will now be held yearly. The contests will be a part of a rolling trophy. Lady Irwin College and Mrida Group are engaged in an industrial-academic partnership, with Mrida Group providing professional exposure to students in fields such as women’s empowerment, and FMCG vertical Earthspired.