Nutrition forms the foundation of healthy communities, playing a fundamental role in the overall well-being of individuals, especially women and children. In India, despite significant economic growth, the challenge of malnutrition persists. A concerning fact is that 44% of children in India under the age of 5 experience underweight conditions. Additionally, anaemia is prevalent, affecting 72% of infants and 52% of married women, as indicated by recent studies.
In recent years, India has made a concerted effort to tackle the challenge of malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Central to this effort is the POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan, a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the ambitious vision of a malnutrition-free India by 2022. The Abhiyaan targets high-malnutrition districts to improve the utilisation of key Anganwadi Services and enhance the quality of their delivery. Managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), POSHAN Abhiyaan is being implemented in phases across the country, covering 315 districts in the first year, 235 in the second, and the remaining districts in the third year.
From its inception, POSHAN Abhiyaan has now evolved into POSHAN 2.0, marking a transformative journey towards enhanced nutrition and well-being for India’s women and children. Building on its success, POSHAN 2.0 aims to further amplify impact, innovate strategies, and foster collaboration for a healthier future.
Launch of the Poshan Utsav Book and Cartoon Coalition
Taking a significant leap in making India a nourished nation, the Poshan Se Padhai Tak initiative, as part of the POSHAN 2.0, represents a visionary approach to addressing the nutritional challenges facing the country. This initiative underscores the commitment to improve the nutritional health of the population, especially among the most vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
The Poshan Se Padhai Tak initiative has introduced innovative ways to spread awareness about nutrition among both kids and adults. A key aspect of this initiative is the launch of the “Poshan Utsav Book” and the “Cartoon Coalition”.
The Poshan Utsav Book is a comprehensive guide enlightening communities about nutritious practices and diets. This book is aimed at enlightening communities, helping to bridge the knowledge gap at the grassroots level. By offering practical, easy-to-understand information on nutrition, it plays a vital role in encouraging healthier dietary practices across various sections of society.
The Cartoon Coalition, on the other hand, takes an innovative approach to engaging children in nutrition and health education, making learning about nutrition accessible and enjoyable through popular Indian cartoons. By leveraging the universal appeal of cartoons, the Coalition aims to instill healthy eating habits and awareness about nutrition from an early age. This innovative method promises to make a lasting impact on children’s understanding and attitudes towards food and health.
Impact of POSHAN Abhiyaan and Its Initiatives
The impact of the POSHAN Abhiyaan and its initiatives have been significant. Through its various strategies and interventions, including Infant and Young child feeding (IYCF), food and nutrition, immunisation, institutional delivery, and others, the program strives to create synergy among existing schemes and maximise their impact on nutritional status. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) reports improvements in nutritional indicators for children under five years, with reductions in wasting, undernutrition, and stunting, reflecting the effectiveness of these interventions.
Moreover, the training of over 10 lakh Anganwadi workers under POSHAN Abhiyaan has been critical in empowering them to effectively implement the initiative at the community level. These trained workers are the backbone of the Abhiyaan, ensuring its operational success across diverse and remote areas of the country.
A unique aspect of POSHAN Abhiyaan is using technology to enhance its impact. The ‘Poshan Tracker’, a robust ICT-enabled platform, has been instrumental in monitoring the provisioning of supplementary nutrition, ensuring real-time supervision and management of services across India. This approach marks a significant shift in how nutritional programs are administered, enabling more effective and timely interventions. Proper training and equipping Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) with the necessary tools, such as the Poshan Tracker, ensure they can effectively implement nutrition programs and educate communities on the importance of a balanced diet.
Towards a Nourished and Educated India
As India moves forward, the POSHAN Abhiyaan and its associated initiatives, like Poshan Utsav and Poshan Se Padhai Tak, play a crucial role in combating malnutrition and promoting good health practices. The program’s satisfactory performance in relevance, sustainability, and equity, evaluated by the Monitoring & Evaluation Office under NITI Aayog, is a testament to its comprehensive and effective approach. The collective efforts of the government, stakeholders, and communities are pivotal in realising the vision of a well-nourished and educated India, ensuring a healthier future for the next generation.
Visit the official POSHAN Abhiyaan website to learn more about India’s journey towards improved nutrition and health. Join the movement and participate in this transformative journey to create a healthier, more nourished India.