New Delhi: Renowned holistic health coach and co-founder of Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems,Luke Coutinho, visited the Anganwadi Centre in Kusumpur Pahari ICDS Project AWC 55 & 59 in R.K. Puram today to observe the implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan, the Government of India’s flagship program to combat malnutrition.
During his visit, Coutinho interacted with Anganwadi workers, who play a vital role in strengthening nutrition and early childhood education in the community. He also spent time with children at the center, motivating them toward healthy eating habits and lifestyle practices. His visit aligns with the government’s efforts under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0), which emphasize social behavioral change and community participation in ensuring better nutrition outcomes.
Mr. Coutinho was given a demonstration of the ‘Poshan Tracker’ application, an advanced IT governance tool that monitors service delivery and infrastructure at Anganwadi Centers. The application, available in 24 languages, has facilitated real-time data collection and targeted nutritional interventions, ensuring improved service efficiency for beneficiaries.
Commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-obesity campaign and his call for reducing edible oil consumption, Coutinho highlighted the importance of awareness and community mobilization through initiatives such as Poshan Maah and Poshan Pakhwada. He stressed the need for male involvement in family nutrition and praised the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s initiative to incorporate millet into the Supplementary Nutrition Program. He also acknowledged the ministry’s efforts in leveraging technology for real-time monitoring of nutrition services.
Ahead of the 7th Poshan Pakhwada, scheduled from March 18 to April 2, 2025, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) shared the ministry’s focus areas, including healthy lifestyle promotion to address childhood obesity, the first 1,000 days of life, popularizing the Beneficiary Module, and implementing the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) Module.
To promote the adoption of locally available food, Mr. Coutinho planted a curry leaf sapling at the center, symbolizing the importance of nutrition from natural sources. The Joint Secretary of WCD also presented him with a copy of ‘Poshan Utsav Book’, a publication conceptualized by the Ministry of WCD and curated by the Deendayal Research Institute (DRI), which showcases India’s rich culinary heritage and diverse nutritional resources.
Coutinho’s visit is expected to enhance awareness about holistic nutrition and early childhood education, further reinforcing the government’s mission to build a healthier and better-nourished India.
