Engaging Adolescents Through
Interactive Health Learning
- 26 February 2026
Between 5th to 17th January 2026, Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust (LTPCT) organised a series of Adolescent (Kishore–Kishori) Melas across schools and Anganwadi Centres in 16 villages of Subir block, Dang district, Gujarat, to strengthen awareness on nutrition, personal hygiene, and anaemia prevention among rural adolescents.
The initiative brought together 2,059 participants, including adolescent girls and boys, non-school-going adolescent girls, teachers, frontline health and ICDS workers, and village leaders. The villages covered included Hanvatpada, Jarsol, Kangriyamal, Mokhamal, Gavdhad, Zaran, Girmal, Jamaniyamal, Burthadi, Singana, Nishana, Biliaamba, Jamala, Timbarthava, Keshbandha, and Kakashala.
Unlike conventional awareness sessions, the mela adopted an experiential learning approach through interactive activities such as the Poshan Chakra, nutrition-based Snakes and Ladders, personal hygiene games, ring games, card games, and poster exhibitions on food groups and balanced diets. These activities enabled adolescents to understand nutrition and hygiene concepts in a participatory and engaging manner.
Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on Anaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia were distributed widely. As part of the mela, Haemoglobin (Hb) testing was conducted for 237 adolescents (174 girls and 63 boys).
Medical Officers, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi Workers facilitated sessions explaining the importance of haemoglobin, dietary practices to improve Hb levels, and preventive health behaviours.
By combining health screening with interactive education, the Adolescent Mela created a platform for early identification of anaemia, improved health awareness, and strengthened community engagement around adolescent wellbeing.
