The Anganwadi Program, operated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), is a significant initiative of the Government of India. It is aimed at providing food security to children, mothers, and families in rural and semi-urban areas. This program is supplemented by various other initiatives such as the POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition), PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN), and the National Food Security Act of 2013 (NFSA).
Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
In the 2021-22 financial year, the Indian government restructured several schemes into Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. These include Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the POSHAN Abhiyaan, and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG). Poshan 2.0 continues as a centrally-sponsored scheme, with both central and state governments sharing the cost.
The vision for these programs is to address the crisis of malnutrition among children up to six years old, adolescent girls aged 14-18, and pregnant and lactating women. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals related to Zero Hunger and Quality Education is a critical aspect of this strategy. The program emphasizes the importance of nutrition and early childhood care for the overall well-being and development of children.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development Celebrates the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah
September 2023 marked the sixth celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah by the MoWCD. The primary focus was on addressing malnutrition using a life-cycle approach, a crucial component of Mission Poshan 2.0. The objective was to raise awareness about critical life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and propagate better nutritional habits across India.
The theme for the year was ‘Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat’ (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), emphasizing the importance of nutrition, education, and empowerment in building a healthier and stronger country.
Initiatives During the Poshan Maah
Throughout Poshan Maah, numerous activities were organized to raise awareness about nutrition. These included Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition), a healthy competition designed to encourage well-being and good nutrition among children, and Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition and Education), aimed at improving nutrition via Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
In 2022, more than 170 million sensitization activities took place during Poshan Maah, focusing on key themes related to nutrition. Over 600 million activities have been conducted as part of the Jan Andolan movement during Poshan Pakhwadas (March) and Poshan Maahs (September) each year.
Poshan Abhiyaan: A Comprehensive Approach to addressing Malnutrition
Poshan Abhiyaan is a flagship initiative by the Government of India for addressing malnutrition comprehensively. It aims to create an integrated nutritional support program. Its primary focus is on promoting practices that improve health, wellness, and immunity against diseases and malnutrition. The program targets pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under six years of age. In 2021, the MoWCD launched an application called Poshan Tracker, allowing beneficiaries to keep track of their progress on their health journey.
Other Related Initiatives
Several other initiatives include the Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the NFSA of 2013, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN). These initiatives further supplement the government’s efforts towards improving the nutritional status and health of women and children across the country.