‘Poshan Maah’ – A step towards a healthy India

‘Poshan Maah’ – A step towards a healthy India

‘Poshan Maah’ – A step towards a healthy India
Story by : Welthungerhilfe Staff
Written on : 1st October, 2018

Welthungerhilfe’s partners celebrate National Nutrition month.

Being a strong advocate of food and nutrition security, Welthungerhilfe in collaboration with its partners organized a series of events celebrating the National Nutrition month or ‘Poshan maah’ throughout September. The efforts aimed to bring the nutrition discussion to the grassroots level. It also supported in empowering local communities to understand their locally available food resources and the importance of dietary diversity for them, especially their children.

A series of events and programmes were organized with Anganwadi workers – the foot soldiers relentlessly working towards creating a healthier India. The ongoing programmes supported these workers to create an efficient system and bring about maximum benefits to children in the rural areas under the Integrated Child Development Scheme of the government. Awareness rallies on issues related to nutrition and good health were organized by school children and locals. Besides these, local fairs showcasing indigenous grains, seeds and organic vegetables were also organized.

In Madhya Pradesh, Welthungerhilfe extended technical support to the state government in planning and operationalizing the state level plan for 51 districts for the entire month. On-ground partners in the state, Mahatma Gandhi Seva Ashram (MGSA) and Darshana Mahila Kalyan Samiti (DMS) conducted awareness rallies, demonstration of food preparation and other awareness events throughout the month.

In Jharkhand, our partners Abhivyakti Foundation, Centre for World Solidarity and Pravah, organized block level workshops, Panchayat level seminars, demonstration of tippy tap model, training of Anganwadi workers on nutrition camps, demonstration of nutrimix and nutritious recipes, street plays etc. Ekjut, supported the Department of Women and Child Development to organize a mini marathon – ‘Run for Jharkhand’ during the occasion on 30th September.

In Rajasthan, VAAGDHARA organized agricultural fairs and rallies besides other workshops promoting organic and ecological farming, and sustainable production and consumption practices.

‘Poshan Maah’ was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India to be observed during the month of September. The celebrations aimed to strengthen the ongoing ‘Poshan Abhiyan’ or the ‘National Nutrition Mission’ to create a healthy society free from malnutrition and food scarcity. This initiative is supported by 18-line Ministries/ Department/ Government organisations.

The above initiatives have been supported by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ and SWITCH-Asia.