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Estd. 1949

Dear readers,

This newsletter brings to you sunshine in the form of our mentor Prof Subadra Seshadri, along with some

inspirational vibes from our alumni Ms. Dipti Gulati, highlights of some awards and accolades won by the

Department staff and students and also list of projects from the year 2014 onwards.

We are indeed proud of our alumni and seek suggestions for the next Mrunalini Devi Puar memorial oration as well

as nominations for the outstanding alumni award.

Kindly do keep us posted about your recent updates and activities and do share details of your classmates so that

we can increase the MSU-FNAA membership.

We look forward towards your presence in Vadodara and seek your support and ideas for making our department

scale new heights. Wish you all a very happy Vijayadashami, May Good Win over Evil!

Do write back to us at msufnaa@gmail.com

Cheers Editors MSUFNAA Newsletter

KNOW OUR MENTOR - A living encyclopedia

Prof Subadra Seshadri

A teacher par excellence, graceful and elegant

Prof. Subadra Seshadri, started out as a

lecturer (1970) to become Professor and Head

of the Department of Foods & Nutrition (1994)

which continued until her retirement in the

year 2002. With a double masters degree (MSc

in organic chemistry from Delhi University and

Masters in Human Nutrition from Colorado

State University, USA) and a Ph.D. in Nutrition

from our Department under the mentorship of

late Prof. Tara Gopaldas, her work on anemia

in pregnant women, pre-school children and

adolescent girls; programmatic interventions;

bio-availability of iron in typical Indian meals

have been noteworthy and led to more than

40 research papers and countless

presentations in academic forums.

These contributions also led to the

recognition of the Department as a

WHO-collaborating center for

Nutrition research in Anemia by the

World Health Organization wherein

madam was the Co-coordinator for

several years from 1995 to 2001. She

was also the Director of UGC special

assistance program at the

Department of Foods and Nutrition

in Baroda.

Her other research interests include identification of underutilized

food sources of beta carotene, quantitative estimation of beta

carotene in these and its bio availability. She was a recipient of

Mrunalini Devi Puar Oration Award, MSU-FNAA in 2009, also

received Dr. Jubilee Pratap Kumar Endowment Lecture Award of

the Indian Dietetic Association, Chennai Chapter (2008) and Dr.

Srikantia Memorial Lecture award of the Nutrition Society of India

(2005).Under her leadership associations such as NSI and IDA have

blossomed. Post retirement from Baroda, Prof. Seshadri is based in

Bangalore and is practicing as a Senior Nutrition Consultant.

Madam has always been a source of inspiration and a true mentor at all times and we wish her a very healthy

retired life.

October 2018

MSU-FNAA NEWSLETTER

MSU-FN Alumni Association (MSU-FNAA), Department of Foods and Nutrition,

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara - 390002, Gujarat

Number 11

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Meet our inspiring Alumni - Ms. DEEPTI GULATI

It’s a pleasure to introduce Ms. Deepti Gulati, our proud alumni (1976-1978) who has a rich 39 years of work

experience in nutrition and public health and currently heads GAIN India programmes: "Large-scale Food

Fortification" and "Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition" (CMAM).

Her guidance, technical assistance and support to the Food Fortification

Resource Centre of Food Safety Standard Authority of India have been

remarkable esp. for its staple food fortification agenda across the Indian States.

She has added substantially to the Nutrition and Development Sector in India by

leading innovative nutrition and public health projects and programmes, such as:

CMAM, staple food fortification, salt iodization and nutrition and health

education, in the nutritionally disadvantaged states of Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana,

Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar

Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

She has received Fellowships from the International Agriculture Centre,

Netherlands and from the United Nations University in ‘Management of

Community Nutrition Programmes’.

Prior to joining GAIN, Deepti was a Senior Nutritionist, UN World Food

Programme (2000-2009); Deputy Director, NIPCCD: National Institute of Public

Cooperation and Child Development, Government of India (1981-2000) and a

University Lecturer (1978-1981). At NIPCCD, she headed the Training

Technology Unit, was tasked with strengthening the training and building the

programme delivery capacity of India's largest programme for children: the

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme and as a university

lecturer, she taught nutrition and child development to the undergraduates.

Deepti madam was also a visiting faculty with the University of Delhi and of Jamia Milia Islamia University and was

the National Resource Person on Nutrition and Health Education for the Government of India's Ministry of Women

and Child Development (1995-2009). Her areas of specialization include: Nutrition, Food Security, Public Health,

Strengthening Policy Framework; Capacity Building etc.

As a member of various professional bodies, several national and state-level committees and advisory boards on

nutrition and public health, she has made important contributions to the formulation of national and state policies

and programmes on nutrition and public health.

Mrs. Gulati has presented many papers and orations at the national and international level and has authored several

manuals / guidebooks / training-modules and papers.

Besides work, her interests include reading and volunteering for projects for the disadvantaged children. You can

contact her at dgulati@gainhealth.org , deepti50@gmail.com.

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WORLD BREAST FEEDING WEEK ACTIVITIES-2018

This year, an effort to promote, protect and strengthen breastfeeding was being done by an alliance formed last

year (2017), an initiative of Head – Prof. Meenakshi Mehan with Prof. Vanisha Nambiar as the Convener of WBW

celebrations-2018 - whose theme was “Breastfeeding: Foundation of life, Breastfeeding: Nourishment of

Life”

The activities ranged from quiz, drawing competition, poster and NHE making competitions, development of

complimentary feeds, skits and street plays in various strategic places to create awareness among mothers and

general population, round table meet for sensitization and discussion for making all maternity homes of Vadodara

Baby Friendly and pledge for protection, promotion and strengthening of breastfeeding by pediatricians of

Vadodara, Interactive session and Quiz for Understanding the KAP- AWW, ASHA, CDPO, seminar on Adbhut

Matrutva, Display of nutrition education materials on promotion breastfeeding and IYCF, Free Diet Counseling

sessions for mother and child by the nutrition counseling centre of the Department of Foods and Nutrition, The M S

University of Baroda, collection of a data base regarding the practices related to baby friendly hospital guidelines

from maternity homes of urban Vadodara, Breast feeding counseling in post partum wards and among nursing

students, Banners and posters distribution to all AOPV/ BOGS members, UHCs, Institutions/ Alliance partners and

Mega Quiz competition for winners of respective colleges and seminars regarding breastfeeding foundation and

nourishment of life along with ORS.

.

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The Nutrition month of September witnessed several activties rangind from flash

mobs, extension work and geriatric home visits with staff (Prof Komal Chauhan, Dr

Hemangini Gandhi and Dr Shruti Kantawala and Mansi Diwanji) and a recipe

competetion with the theme: “Healthy way to begin your day” for the students and

their mothers wherin more than 150 participants demonetrated their recipes. It was

jointly organizedby MSU - FNAA, NSI- Baroda Chapter, IDA – Gujarat Chapter,

Vadodara Cluband Nestle on 15th

September, 2018. Facilitated by Prof Mini Sheth, the

program was well orchestrated by Dr Shonima Venugopal and the entire young staff

of the dept were instrumental in its organization. The event ended with a a quiz

organized by PhD students and a lecture on “Healthy way to begin your day” by Dr.

Vijayata Sengar.

(Low fat, low salt and low sugar breakfast recipes displayed by the students and their mothers)

GLIMPSES OF NUTRITION MONTH CELEBRATION 2018

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AWARDS AND ACCOLADES –STAFF OF FN DEPARTMENT

Our Department has received a certificate

from WABA, Malaysia for its World Breast

Feeding Week-2018 activities.

Prof. Meenakshi Bakshi Mehan, the Head

of our Department has been invited as a task force member

in the meeting of the “Balanced and Healthy Diets” held on 10

th August, 2018 at New Delhi conducted by Dte. General

Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

She was also a moderator for the panel discussion on

reduction of under nutrition in Gandhinagar

on 7th September, 2018.

Prof Meenakshi Mehan also attended the 2nd

meeting on National

Technical Board on Nutrition was conducted on 28th

August, 2018

wherin scientific issues related to POSHAN Abiyaan were

discussed.

She also has contributed in developing Operational Guideline for

State Programme Managers to be followed in Public Health

Facilities – “ JSSK - Dietary Norms” published by Maternal health Division, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, GoI, July 2018.

Prof. Mini Sheth recognized for her patents on food

product development and literary materials on

“Prebiotics – our gut guardian” (Sheth M. & Singh T.)

and “Let’s make diabetes our best friend”

(Sheth M. & V. Shrivastava) by our Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of

Prof. Parimal Vyas on 15th

August, 2018.

She also received leadership in higher education award-2018,

from CSKVIM and Higher education forum.

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Prof. Sirimavo Nair has been nominated as Nodel Officer – Gujarat State for

Monitoring and evaluation of National Food Security Act co-ordinate by Ministry of

Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution.

She is one of the members in scientific committee in Panel of Nutrition and

Fortification of FSSAI, GoI.

She has contributed a lot in the implementation of Double fortified salt

(DFS) in India - moved the DFS for cabinet approval through Ministry of

Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Women and& Child Development

to implement the use of DFS.

Technical advisor of Gujarat State – Women and Child Development

Department for full launching of DFS in PDS system

Technical officer for e-launching of DFS during POSHAN ABHIYAN by Ms.

Vibhavari Dave, Minister of Women and Child Development Department

Dr. Hemangini Gandhi delivered the inaugural address at

the UNICEF sponsored “har ghar poshan tyohar” Jan

Andolan for Narmada district, envisaged under Poshan

Abhiyan, was launched at Didiyapada on Thursday,

6th

2018, attended by more than 2000 participants.

She also led the Department

students for the Nutrition

Brigade.

Prof Vanisha Nambiar contributed towards Tips for

healthy eating and lifestyle 230 recipes from the world

for the book, “Live life in style”, published by International Diabetes Federation, Brussels.

Our veteran alumni Prof G. Subbulakshmi madam’s contribution in Sports Sciences and Nutrition culminated in

formation of a registered Association of Sports Nutrition and

Fitness Sciences, along with members of Nutrition Society of

India, Mumbai Chapter with aims to provide science based

advice to the Indian sport persons and fitness enthusiasts.

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OUR STUDENTS WHO MADE US PROUD

Ms Charul Jha (Guide, Prof Vanisha Nambiar) won the 1st prize (Oral Presentation)

at the 2nd

National Conference of Indian Society of Clinical Nutrition (INCSN), on

“Nutritional Management of Gastroenterology Surgical & Critically Ill Patients:

Consensus and Controversies” was held from Aug 31st -Sep 2

ndin All India Institute of

Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi. The programme was jointly organised by Indian

Society of Clinical Nutrition & Departments of Gastroenterology & HNU and Surgical

Disciplines, AIIMS, New Delhi. The research paper was on reducing Gastro Intestinal

(GI) complications post bariatric surgery through behavior change communication-

a case control study on Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery patients (cash

prize of Rs 10000/- and a certificate).

Ms Charul Jha (Guide, Prof Vanisha Nambiar) won 1st

prize in IDA president’s award for poster in Experimental

Nutrition at IDACON-2018, 30th

Sept- 2nd

Oct, 2018, Indore. Title: RYGB bariatric surgery and consequences of

individual NHE vs standard hospital care on remission of diabetes and improvement in quality of life.

Ms. Roshani Vakilana (Phd Student, Guide, Prof. Vanisha Nambiar) received

Professional Exchange Sponsorship from Rotary International Club. She visited

Argentina to learn about CONIN methodology under Noble prize nominee Dr.

Able Albino, one of his major achievements being bringing down IMR to 0 in

Chile. With this methodology he runs almost 100 centers in Argentina towards

decreasing undernutrition among children from 0-6 year.

Ms Drasti Zaveri (Guide, Prof Vanisha Nambiar), won 3rd Prize, Oral Presentation in

DIACON-2018, 21-23rd Sept, 2018, Ahmedabad on Effect of personalized

counselling and Nutrition Health Education on remission of diabetes post

Laparoscopic Mini Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery- a case control trial.

Research Work - In association with different Funding Agency (2014-2018)

Prof. Uma Iyer, Dr. Swati Dhruv and Dr. Shonima Venugopal - Britania Project entitled” Glycemic and Lipemic response of Oats and Ragi Cookies” (2017-18) funded by Britania Ind. Ltd.

Prof. Meenakshi Mehan and Dr. Hemangini Gandhi - Rapid assessment of Kishori Jagrut Abiyan in selected districts of Gujarat (2017-18) funded by UNICEF, Gujarat

Prof. Meenakshi Mehan and Dr. Hemangini Gandhi - Delivering key nutrition and dietary intervention for (NP/NL) reproductive age group and Adolescent girls through community engagement in Vadodara (2017-18) funded by Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan (VMSS), Vadodara , Gujarat

Prof. Mini Sheth and Dr. Hemangini Gandhi - Development, standardization and acceptability trials of nutria dense recipes for community-based management of SAM children (2017-18) funded by Torrent Power

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Prof Mini Sheth and Dr VIjayata Sengar - Prevalence of Lactose Intolerance in children, adults and elderly of urban Vadodara and Effectiveness of Supplementing Lactose – Free Milk on their Quality of Life and Nutritional status. (2017-18) funded by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.

Prof Vanisha Nambiar - Project CHOICE – Choosing healthier options – Experiments with International cuisines (2017-18) funded by International Diabetes Federation

Dr. Swati Dhruv - A cross sectional study on consumption pattern of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) in adult population of Urban Vadodara (2017-18) funded by Research & Consultancy Cell, The M. S. University of Baroda

Dr. Swati Dhruv - Nutritional Assessment of Young Adult Girls Studying Adarsh Nivasi Shalas (2016-17) funded by Toddler Food Partners, USA

Prof. Mini Sheth - Development of sugar substituted FOS added popular Indian sweets (2016 -17) TATA Chemical Ltd., Pune

Prof Vanisha Nambiar and Dr. Rujuta Desai - Improving Food and Nutrition Security in rural households through promotion of agri-nutri-health at Ekalbara village (2015-17) funded by Transpek Silox Industry Pvt. Ltd., Vadodara

Prof. Sirimavo Nair - Identifying Inborn errors and classifying by ICD-10 funded by MERD, India

Dr. Suneeta Chandorkar - Impact Evaluation of a flavanol rich drink on the post activity recovery markers and oxidative stress in elite cricketers from Urban Vadodara (2015-16)

Ms. Kanchi Baria - Assessment of Health and Nutritional Status and its Relation with the Potential of Sports Performance, Endurance and Strength Training: Impact of Functional Foods and Nutrition Health Education on Physical Activity Profile of Athletes of Urban Vadodara (2015-16) funded by Research & Consultancy Cell, The M. S. University of Baroda

Dr. Hemangini Gandhi - Evaluation of Mid Day Meal Program(MDMP): Nutritional status, Program implementation and status of School Monitoring Committees in Akshay Patra (AP)and Non Akshay Patra Served schools of Vadodara District (2015-16) funded by Research & Consultancy Cell, The M. S. University of Baroda

Dr. Shonima Venugopal - Studies on Insulin Plant (Costus Igneus) Leaf Powder: Nutrition Profile, Sensory Evaluationand Intervention Study in T2DM Patients (2015-16) funded by Research & Consultancy Cell, The M. S. University of Baroda

Prof Vanisha Nambiar, Dr. Rujuta Desai, Ms. Roshani Vakilana - Strengthening the ICDS services in Surat city (2015-16) funded by Surat Municipal Corporation

Prof. Sirimavo Nair - Qualitative analysis of Iodine from salt using local ingredients available in the kitchen (2014-15) funded by Micronutrient Initiative, New Delhi

Nutritional Status, Physical Fitness Profile and Assessment of Knowledge Practices of Hockey Academic Players of Urban Vadodara: Impact of Nutrition Health Education (NHE) on Knowledge and Practices (2015-16)

Prof. Sirimavo Nair and Dr. Suneeta Chandorkar - Flour fortification project (2015-16) funded by TATA-Cornell Institute, New York

Prof. Mini Sheth - Effect of liquid Fructosaccharide supplementation on the inflammatory markers of young obese adults of Urban Baroda (2014-15) funded by TATA Chemical Ltd., Pune

Dr. Suneeta Chandorkar - Trans fat content of selected processed foods and behavioral factors associated with their consumption (2014-15) funded by GUJCOST, Gujarat (Gujarat Council of Science & Technology), Dept. of Science & Technology, Gandhinagar

Prof. Sirimavo Nair and Dr. Hemangini Gandhi - Documentation on barriers and triggers for optimal IYCN practices in Gujarat (2014-15) funded by UNICEF, Gandhinagar

Dr. Swati Dhruv - Impact of supplementation of flaxseed on the cardio metabolic profile of overweight/obese subjects (2014-15) funded by Research & Consultancy Cell, The M. S. University of Baroda

Prof. Mini Sheth and Dr. Swati Parnami - Acceptability of FOS incorporated food items of supplementing FOS on gut microflora and on direct/indirect determinants of obese adult of urban vadodara”(2014-15) funded by Department of Biotechnology, GoI, New Delhi

FNAA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE- 2017-2022

Patron: Late Dr. (Smt) Mrunalini Devi Puar

Past President: Prof Uma Iyer

President: Prof. Meenakshi Bakshi Mehan

Vice Presidents: Prof. Mini Sheth & Prof. Vanisha Nambiar

Secretary: Dr. Vijayata Sengar

Treasurer: Dr. Hemangini Gandhi

Joint secretary: Dr. Mital Dave

Executive Committee members:

Mansi Diwanji, Yamee Bardoliwala, Nikita

Joshi

Newsletter Editors:

Prof. Vanisha Nambiar and Dr. Mital Dave

Feedback:msufnaa@gmail.com