7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 Concludes in Ranchi with a Focus on Nutrition and Sustainable Development

Ranchi: The closing ceremony of the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) was held today in Ranchi, Jharkhand, marking the culmination of month-long celebrations aimed at combating malnutrition and promoting healthy living across the country. The event saw the presence of Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Governor of Jharkhand, and Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, along with senior officials from both the central and state governments.

The ceremony began with the screening of a film showcasing the various mass sensitization initiatives that took place throughout the country during Poshan Maah. This was followed by the Annaprashan ceremony for children and the God Bharai ceremony for pregnant women, underscoring the importance of nutritional care from pregnancy through early childhood.

A highlight of the event was the screening of an inspiring short film, Aao Toden: Kuposhan Chakra, which emphasized Jharkhand’s lifecycle approach to improving nutrition for children, adolescent girls, and pregnant and lactating mothers. The event also marked the virtual inauguration of more than 11,000 Saksham Anganwadi Centres across 20 states, an initiative aimed at improving nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). A film explaining how Saksham Anganwadis can enhance nutrition and ECCE delivery was also showcased.

A key moment in the event was the online interaction between Governor Gangwar, Union Minister Annpurna Devi, and Anganwadi workers from Jamui district in Bihar and Rajnandgaon district in Chhattisgarh. The interaction focused on the important role Anganwadi workers play in improving community health and nutrition outcomes through the Saksham Anganwadi initiative.

In her address, Union Minister Annpurna Devi expressed her appreciation for the wide participation and enthusiasm shown by stakeholders during Poshan Maah. “A total of 12.86 crore sensitization activities were conducted at 13.95 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the country on various nutrition-related themes,” she said. She highlighted the success of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative, which held 86 lakh activities promoting environmental sustainability alongside nutrition.

The Minister also applauded unique state-level initiatives, such as Assam’s Hemoglobin Queens campaign, which recognized adolescent girls with high hemoglobin levels as a way to inspire and educate communities about nutrition. “I can foresee multifarious developments with enhanced velocity through Saksham Anganwadis, which will empower communities to participate, engage, and own the initiatives of Poshan 2.0, with a mission to make India a Suposhit Rashtra (well-nourished nation),” she concluded.

Governor Gangwar, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance of convergence between different departments and stakeholders to build a holistic ecosystem to eliminate malnutrition. He praised the efforts of Anganwadi workers and highlighted the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition as well as Education) initiatives as critical steps toward making India self-reliant. “We must all promote green vegetables, whole grains, and millet in our daily meals,” he added, stressing the importance of nutrition education at the grassroots level.

The event also featured an exhibition with stalls focusing on various themes such as Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, ECCE, food and nutrition, health camps, and anemia testing. A special section highlighted the work of Self Help Groups and various social security schemes. The third edition of Poshan Dhara Magazine was launched, spotlighting strategies to transform Jharkhand into a malnutrition-free state.

Throughout the month-long celebration, over 12.86 crore activities were organized across all 36 States and Union Territories. Among these, 2.4 crore activities focused on anemia awareness and 2 crore on growth monitoring. The efforts reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots movements through continued Jan Andolans (people’s movements) and ensuring the effective implementation of Saksham Anganwadi Centres.