The Department of Endocrinology, CMC Vellore, hosted a vibrant cookery competition themed “Diabetic Dinner – Conquering the Night Cravings” on the evening of 27th September, 2025.
The event was an exciting confluence of culinary innovation and health awareness, aimed at promoting diabetic-friendly dietary practices among the community of Vellore.
The event was presided over by Dr. Khushboo Agarwal, Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, CMC Vellore. The Chief Guest for the evening was Dr. Lallu Joseph, Associate General Superintendent, CMC, Ranipet Campus. In her address, Dr. Lallu Joseph emphasized the importance of a balanced plate and portion control, and appreciated the enthusiastic participation of the public.
The panel of judges included:
- Swathi Rathore, HOD and Professor, OG 4
- Jabin Khaja, Professor, Medical Surgical Nursing 2
- Sharon Gikku George, Physiotherapist & PhD Scholar, CMC Vellore
- Sandhiya, Dietician, Department of Endocrinology, CMC Vellore
The judges congratulated all the participants for their creativity, zeal, and commitment to promoting healthy eating habits for people with diabetes.
About the Theme:
The concept of a “Diabetic Dinner” focuses on meals that are:- Rich in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber
- Based on low glycaemic index ingredients to avoid blood sugar spikes
- Made using wholesome foods such as millets, legumes, leafy greens, and fruits (in moderation)
- Prepared using healthy cooking techniques like steaming, grilling, or sautéing
- Served with mindful portion control, especially for night-time meals
The theme “Conquering the Night Cravings” highlights a common challenge among diabetic individuals—late evening hunger. It encourages nutritious dinner options that satisfy cravings while supporting better overnight sugar control.
Participation:
A total of 35 teams enthusiastically participated in the competition, including:- Teachers from schools & colleges in Vellore
- Staff from CMC Vellore & CMC Ranipet Campus
- Local homemakers
Each team presented innovative, flavorful, and nutritionally balanced dinner recipes suitable for people with diabetes.
Dishes were judged based on:
- Nutritional & calorific value
- Cost-effectiveness
- Preparation time
- Taste
- Balance of macro & micronutrients
Winners:
First Prize:
Mrs. Shrisha & Ms. Bhavadharani (DKM College for Women, Vellore)
Recipes: Vegmillet Fenugreek Soup, Sprouted Channa Waffle, Millet Ravioli with Hummus
Second Prize:
Ms. Anitha & Mrs. Karthiga (CMC Vellore)
Recipes: Mixed Millet Kuzhipaniyaram, Ragi Dosai, Bottle Gourd Poriyal
Third Prize:
Mrs. Gayathri & Mrs. Gladis Jerusha (Staff Nurses, CMC Vellore)
Recipes: Ragi Adai, Tulsi & Amla Health Drink
Consolation Prizes:
- Harish Margarate & Ms. Sneha (Scudder Memorial Hospital, Ranipet)
- Selvakumari & Mrs. Riya (Homemakers from Vellore)
The event was a resounding success, celebrating culinary creativity as well as community health awareness. It reinforced that healthy eating can be enjoyable and flavorful, and with the right choices, individuals with diabetes can effectively manage their condition—especially during night cravings.
In commemoration of World Diabetes Day 2025, the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, organised a vibrant event comprising an Essay and Painting competition for students in grades VIII to XII, along with a Quiz competition for school teachers. The event, held on October 18th 2025, at Darling Residency, Vellore, aimed to inspire students to adopt a healthier lifestyle while addressing the challenges in diabetes prevention and management. The initiative also encouraged participants to share their learnings with their families and communities to extend the reach of the knowledge gained.
Competition Topics:
- Essay Topic: Healthy Habits Today; Healthy Life Tomorrow – The Role of Parents and Teachers in Preventing Diabetes & Obesity in Children
- Painting Competition: Technology and Humanity – A Partnership for Better Health
- Teachers Quiz: Nobel Prizes, Sports, General Knowledge, General Health, and General Science
The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. George Chandy, Former Director, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, and Director, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala. He emphasized the importance of diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification to combat obesity and diabetes. He also highlighted the importance of educating students about the disease, especially Type 1 Diabetes, stating that awareness helps break stigma related to the condition and insulin use, fostering acceptance and support for affected students and their families.
In diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, and Obesity, prevention becomes key. Encouraging healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and screen-time moderation can significantly reduce future health risks. Teachers and parents play a critical role in shaping and instilling these habits early in life.
The event was presided over by Dr. Padmavathi T.G, Assistant Professor, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.
Essay Competition:
With 95 English and 90 Tamil entries, students explored the theme:
“Healthy Habits Today; Healthy Life Tomorrow – The Role of Parents and Teachers in Preventing Diabetes & Obesity in Children”.
Painting Competition:
A total of 98 students participated on the theme:
“Technology and Humanity – A Partnership for Better Health”.
Judging Panel:
- Dr. Ronald Carey, Professor & Head, Department of Medicine Unit IV, CMC Vellore
- Dr. Justin Benjamin, Associate Professor, Department of Nuclear Medicine, CMC Vellore
- Mrs. Abijah Princy, Addl Deputy Dean and Professor, College of Nursing, CMC Vellore
Winners of the Painting Competition:
1st Place: Uday Karthik & Ashwanth (IDA Scudder School)
2nd Place: Subiksha (Freedom Concept School) & Kavyanjali (Sri Narayani Vidyashram)
3rd Place: Miracline Benita (Little Flower Convent School), Pragnya S (Sree Jayam School), Chathriya Sree (Maharishi Vidya Mandir School)
Consolation Prizes: Hasini, Faridha, Aravind, Afsana Asmee, Dishite
Teachers’ Quiz Competition:
1st Place: Om Sakthi Narayani Public Higher Secondary School
2nd Place: Kingston International School
3rd Place: Spark Matriculation School
Prizes will be distributed at a grand valedictory function.
In commemoration of World Diabetes Day 2025, the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at Christian Medical College, Vellore, organised an Awareness Exhibition and Poster Competition on 14th November 2025, centred around the theme of this year’s WHO World Diabetes Day, “Diabetes across life stages”, which recognizes that every person living with diabetes should have access to integrated care, supportive environments, and policies that promote health, dignity, and self-management.
The event aimed to create awareness among the general public about diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, and holistic management, with special emphasis on well-being and lifestyle modification. Through interactive and educational activities, the programme highlighted the importance of equitable access to diabetes education, screening, and care — empowering individuals to live healthier and more informed lives.
Departments including Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Nephrology, Physiotherapy, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Dietetics, and Community Health Nursing, along with the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, jointly hosted informative stalls. Each stall focused on specific aspects of diabetes — its complications, preventive strategies, and self-care measures — encouraging visitors to take an active role in diabetes management. To encourage participation among departments, the Best Stall Award was presented to the Department of Cardiology and Community Health Nursing, CMC Vellore.
As part of the screening initiative, blood glucose testing was conducted for more than 417 participants, who also benefited from foot and eye examinations. Awareness sessions were creatively delivered through puppet shows, posters, and interactive games, making learning both engaging and impactful. A lucky draw was conducted for the registered participants, and glucometers were presented to the winners to promote self-monitoring and personal empowerment in diabetes care.
The programme commenced with a prayer led by Rev. Deepak Gnanaprakash, Senior Chaplain. Dr. Mark Ranjan, Associate Director, served as the Chief Guest and inaugurated the event. This was followed by awareness talks in multiple languages—English by Dr. Pattani Ayushi Dineshkumar, Tamil by Dr. Sivan Arul Selvan, Telugu by Dr. Puppala Santosh, Hindi by Dr. Khushboo Agarwal, Kannada by Dr. Mohammed Anwar Hussain, and Malayalam by Dr. Roshan Reji—from the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. Their sessions focused on the early recognition of diabetes and the significance of community participation in its prevention and control.
This year’s observance reinforced the importance of interdepartmental collaboration to promote comprehensive diabetes care and prevention. The exhibition provided an excellent platform for healthcare professionals, patients, and the community to interact and share knowledge, emphasizing that awareness and access are the first steps toward better diabetes outcomes.
The Poster Competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel consisting of Dr. Jambukulam Mohan, Consultant, Medicine Unit I, Mrs. Santhi Gladson, Professor and Nurse Manager, Paediatric Nursing, and Dr. Merlyn R., Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR).
Winners of the Poster Competition:
Best Creativity Award:
1. Mr. V. Isaac Samuel, Staff Nurse, Emergency Department, Town Campus.
First Prize: Ms. J. Femina Jasmine, Staff Nurse, C201, Ranipet Campus
Second Prize: Ms. P. Sweatham, Emergency Department, Ranipet Campus
Third Prize: Ms. J. Sangeetha, Staff Nurse, A4 Ward, Town Campus
Consolation Prizes:
1. Ms. Evangeline Celcy R, Student, Masters in Hospital Management, Town Campus
2. Ms. P. Rajalakshmi, Staff Nurse, C201, Ranipet Campus
