7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah Focuses on Nutrition Awareness and Well-Being

The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, launched from Gandhinagar (Gujarat), focuses on promoting nutrition-related awareness and well-being across the nation. Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel emphasised on importance of nutrition in building strong and healthy human resources for the growth of development of this country.

In her address Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi stressed on ensuring better health of children and adolescents and fighting malnutrition by focusing on lifecycle approach. She emphasised on the four pillars – good governance, convergence, capacity building, community participation and ownership on which the success of Poshan 2.0 rests.

Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India also addressed the august gathering and spoke on promoting diet diversity and the importance of including locally grown wholesome foods in daily diets.

Nutri baskets for pregnant and lactating mothers were provided and annaprashan for infants was held. Beneficiaries under various schemes, including Vahli Dikri Yojna, Widow Pension Scheme, Widow Remarriage Assistance Scheme, and Mahila Swalamban Yojna, etc were handed over their respective scheme entitlements by the dignitaries.

An exhibition showcasing various important initiatives viz; the Poshan Tracker, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi and other nutrition and women’s safety-related initiatives taken by the State like ‘Vangi Pradarshan’, 181 helpline, etc was also organised at the venue. Several regional Cultural performances and plays on important themes like breastfeeding and complementary feeding further underscored the importance of nutrition.

The Union Minister expressed that in order to realize the Prime Minister's vision of a "Suposhit Bharat," Poshan Maah was evolving into a nationwide festival and assuming the form of a people's movement. She emphasized the Ministry of Women and Child Development's unwavering commitment to combating malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers throughout the nation through its Mission Poshan 2.

The month-long campaign aims to further intensify efforts to combat malnutrition and promote holistic well-being across the nation.