Kathmandu, September 25, 2024
The Optimist Club of Dairy Entrepreneurs has announced Nepal's participation in the 24th annual World School Milk Day, marking a decade of the country's involvement in this global initiative. Scheduled for September 25, 2024, the event focused on raising awareness about the importance of milk for children’s health and growth.
The club’s press release highlights that this year’s celebration includes a milk-feeding program and a week-long series of events designed to emphasize milk’s essential role in nutrition and cognitive development. Club has stated that as part of the celebrations, students from seven different schools even showcased their creative artworks at various intervals, reflecting their understanding of milk's importance. In a week long celebration campaign the event features a variety of activities, including poetry and elocution contests in schools, organized by the Optimist Club of Dairy Entrepreneurs. Teachers and parents also been encouraged to advocate for regular milk consumption in children’s diets, promoting better health outcomes.
Saroj Ojha, Secretary of the Optimist Club of Dairy Entrepreneurs, spoke on the benefits of milk, stating, "Scientific studies confirm that milk promotes positive thinking and sharpens the mind, which is why it has been a staple for many renowned global figures throughout history."
According to Secretary Ojha This year’s celebration is being organized in collaboration with the Nepal Dairy Association and the National Dairy Development Board and in an active initiation of Prahlad Dahal, the President of Optimistic club of Dairy Entrepreneurs. Even, Ojha emphasized the focus on children’s nutrition, stating that increasing milk consumption is crucial for their physical and intellectual development.
World School Milk Day is observed globally on the last Wednesday of September, celebrating milk’s contributions to human nutrition. However, Nepal currently consumes an average of 85 liters of milk per person annually, below the World Food Organization’s recommended 92 liters. This shortfall underlines the need for greater awareness and efforts to increase milk intake, especially among children.
As Nepal joins the global celebration of World School Milk Day, stakeholders hope to inspire action that ensures all children, including those deprived of adequate nutrition, have access to milk and dairy products.
