Celebrating the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah: “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat”

Why in the News? The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) is celebrating the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah throughout September 2023, focusing on comprehensive nutrition awareness.

Introduction

The Rashtriya Poshan Maah is an annual initiative organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to combat malnutrition and promote nutritional well-being in India. This year, the focus is on fostering nutritional understanding throughout various life stages, from pregnancy to adolescence. The theme, “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), reflects the holistic approach to nutrition.

Poshan Abhiyaan: A Holistic Approach to Nutrition

The flagship initiative, Poshan Abhiyaan, has played a crucial role in improving nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under 6 years of age. Launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Poshan Abhiyaan operates in mission mode to address the challenge of malnutrition comprehensively.

Life-Cycle Approach

Poshan Maah 2023 focuses on a life-cycle approach to nutrition, emphasizing key life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. This approach ensures that nutritional awareness is cultivated throughout an individual’s development.

Key Themes and Initiatives

• Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding: Campaigns during Poshan Maah will focus on promoting exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding, critical for early childhood nutrition.
• Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition): Encourages healthy competition for nutrition and overall well-being among children.
• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition as well as Education): Highlights the connection between nutrition and education, recognizing that well-nourished children are better learners.
• Improving Nutrition through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): Promotes a healthy lifestyle for improved nutrition.
• Tribal-Focused Nutrition Sensitization: Tailored initiatives for tribal communities.
• Addressing Anemia through Test, Treat, Talk: Aims to combat anemia through a multifaceted approach.
• Jan Andolan Movement: A platform for united celebration under the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign, commemorating the nation’s journey of freedom and progress.

Key Highlights of Poshan Maah 2023

Focus & Objective:

• The primary focus is on addressing malnutrition comprehensively, aligning with Mission Poshan 2.0.
• The objective is to raise awareness about critical life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, to promote better nutrition nationwide.

Theme:

• The theme is “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), emphasizing the role of nutrition, education, and empowerment in building a healthier nation.

Initiatives in 2023:

• Poshan Maah 2023 includes campaigns on Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding.
• Activities like Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition) promote healthy competition for better nutrition.
• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition and Education), Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), tribal-focused nutrition sensitization, and addressing anemia through Test, Treat, Talk are part of the initiatives.

Progress in 2022:

• In 2022, over 170 million sensitization activities took place during Poshan Maah.
• The Jan Andolan movement saw over 600 million activities during Poshan Pakhwadas (March) and Poshan Maahs (September) each year.

About Poshan Abhiyaan

Aim:

• Poshan Abhiyaan, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, comprehensively addresses malnutrition.
• It aims to create an integrated nutrition support program, enhancing content, delivery, outreach, and outcomes of nutritional services.

Target Audience:

• Poshan Abhiyaan focuses on pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under 6 years of age.

Poshan Tracker App:

• In 2021, the MoWCD launched the Poshan Tracker App to monitor beneficiaries.

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

About:

• Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 integrate multiple schemes, including Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and POSHAN Abhiyaan.
• It aims to address malnutrition among children up to 6 years, adolescent girls (14-18 years), and pregnant and lactating women.

Vision:

• The program aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 4 on Quality Education).
• It emphasizes nutrition, early childhood care, and education for healthy and productive individuals.

Components:

• Nutrition Support for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Focus on Adolescent Girls in Aspirational Districts and North Eastern Region.
• Early Childhood Care and Education.
• Modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadi infrastructure.

Other Related Initiatives

• Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
• National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013
• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
• PM POshan SHAkti Nirman (PM-POSHAN).

Rashtriya Poshan Maah signifies a concerted effort to combat malnutrition and promote nutrition awareness, contributing to the health and well-being of India’s population.

Reference URL: PIB Delhi