Over 1,000 Children Embrace Preventive Health and Healthy Living at an Event in Noida

More than 1,000 children came together at The Millennium School, Noida, for the fourth edition of ‘Bachchon Ka Maati-IV’ and emerged as young ambassadors of preventive health and wellness. Organised by Maati Trust in association with Illness to Wellness (ITW), the initiative combined health and hygiene awareness with creativity, fitness and value-based learning, equipping children with simple, practical messages that they can carry beyond the event and share with their families, peers and wider communities.

The initiative aims to create a ripple effect of preventive health awareness, with these 1000 young ambassadors taking the message of healthy habits, hygiene, nutrition and physical activity into their homes and communities. By enabling children to understand and practise these behaviours themselves, the programme seeks to encourage them to amplify the message of wellness among their families and social circles, helping make preventive health a part of everyday life. The programme included handwashing and hygiene training under the Illness to Wellness programme, along with activities addressing themes such as air pollution and its impact on health and the environment, health and hygiene, obesity and nutrition, and the impact of social media on health.

A key highlight of the initiative was the Illness to Wellness handwashing and hygiene activity, through which children were trained in the importance of proper handwashing and everyday hygiene practices. Colonel Sanjay Chaturvedi led the handwashing and hygiene training for the participating children. The programme also featured yoga, meditation, values and etiquette sessions, alongside crafts, games, live performances and a magic show, making the learning experience both educational and enjoyable.

Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “Preventive healthcare cannot begin in hospitals. It must begin at home, in schools and through the everyday habits we build from an early age. When children understand the importance of hygiene, nutrition and physical activity, they do not merely improve their own health; they become powerful ambassadors of wellness within their families and communities. Initiatives like Bachchon Ka Maati help make preventive health engaging and relatable, while giving children the knowledge and confidence to spread these messages further.

The event also featured a prize distribution ceremony, with Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Senior Member of Parliament and former Minister, as the Chief Guest and Mritunjay Pratap Singh, Director, RVNL, as the Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries in attendance included Swapna Roy, mother of Kargil martyr Sumeet Roy; Sandeep Jain, General Manager, Illness to Wellness; Dhirendra Pratap Srivastava, Chairman, Abhijeet Memorial Foundation; Alok Aviral, General Manager, Indian Oil; poetess Vandana Raj; and Anand Singh.

Addressing the children, Dr. Mahesh Sharma shared several mantras for success in life and stressed the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. He also appealed to everyone to actively participate in the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign ahead of Independence Day, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for participation.

Swapna Roy encouraged children to respect and honour their parents, emphasising the importance of the blessings and guidance of elders in the journey of life. Mritunjay Pratap Singh urged children to embrace creative thinking and dedication towards the nation, while emphasising the importance of a healthy body and a positive, refined mindset.

Speaking about the initiative, Asif Azmi, Convenor, Maati Trust, said that Maati has evolved into a cultural identity of Purvanchal across the country. The programme was compered by Prakhar Malviya ‘Kanha’, Co-Convenor, Maati Trust.

The fourth edition builds on the growing participation in Bachchon Ka Maati. According to the programme brief, the first three editions recorded 1,430, 1,410 and 1,490 participants respectively, including children and parents, with participation from 150 schools across Delhi-NCR.

Celebrating Young Talent

The event culminated in the recognition of young talent across multiple categories, with Kothari International School winning the Maati-Relaxo Trophy for the Best Performing School. In the Drawing Competition for Classes 3–5, Anirban Mihir of Kendriya Vidyalaya secured the first position, followed by Anushka of Antah Prerna School in second place and Aardhya Shukla of Radiant Academy in third. In the Drawing Competition for Classes 6–8, Naitik Gupta of Ivey International School stood first, while Ishu Chauhan of Great Columbus School and Leelanshee of G.G.S.S School secured the second and third positions, respectively.

In the Quiz Competition for Classes 3–5, Ivaan Ratul of Kothari International School emerged winner, followed by Kian Ratul of Kothari International School and Pranjali Singh of Holy Public School in second and third positions. Among Classes 6–8, Mayank Joshi of Holy Public School secured first place, with Kavya Chauhan of Great Columbus and Abhispa of SS Public School taking the second and third positions, respectively.

The Dance Competition for Classes 3–5 saw Aradhya Rajbhar of Jesus Mary Playway secure the first position, followed by Niyati Singh of The Millennium School and Sakshi of Jesus Mary Play Way. In the Classes 6–8 category, Niyati Tyagi of S.R. DAV Sr. Sec. School stood first, while Kashvi Mazumdar of S.L.S. DAV Public and Riddhika Vishwas of G.G.S.S.S secured the second and third positions.

In the Speech Competition for Classes 3–5, Vivaan Kapoor of Kothari International School won the first position, followed by Risna Sai of D.A.V. Centenary School and Avishi Gupta of Bharat National. In the Essay Writing Competition for Classes 6–8, Kashika Mittal of Kothari International School secured first place, while Ansh Kumar of Salvation Tree School and Nishtha Sinha of The Millennium School secured the second and third positions, respectively.

All winning participants were presented with cash prizes and attractive gift hampers, while all participating children received certificates of participation and refreshments.

The event demonstrated how preventive health messaging can be integrated into children's everyday learning and recreation. By combining health and hygiene education with creativity, physical activity, competitions and value-based learning, Bachchon Ka Maati-IV provided children with an engaging platform to develop healthy habits, confidence and a sense of healthy competition.

For Illness to Wellness, the initiative reinforced the importance of taking preventive health awareness beyond conventional healthcare settings and introducing children to simple practices that can influence healthier families and communities.