Odisha Enhances Nutrition Support for Children, Launches Digital Guide on First 1,000 Days

Bhubaneswar: Reinforcing its focus on maternal and child health, the Odisha government on Monday announced enhanced nutritional support for severely underweight children and increased breakfast allocations for Anganwadi pre-schoolers, while also launching a digital awareness book on the significance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida unveiled the Odia-language digital book at a programme organised by the Women and Child Development Department in Bhubaneswar. The publication has been designed to help parents and caregivers understand the nutritional, health and developmental needs of children from conception until the age of two years.

As part of the new measures, the daily expenditure on supplementary nutrition for severely underweight children aged six months to six years has been increased from ₹8 to ₹12. In addition, beneficiaries will continue to receive ₹6 per day under the Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana, taking the total nutritional support to ₹18 per child per day.

The enhanced assistance is expected to benefit nearly 35,000 severely underweight children across Odisha. The State Government will incur an additional expenditure of around ₹10.7 crore annually for the initiative.

The government has also revised the breakfast allocation for children aged three to six years attending Anganwadi centres. The daily allocation has been increased from ₹1.24 to ₹3.56 per child, with the State Government bearing an additional annual financial burden of approximately ₹126.83 crore.

Speaking at the event, Pravati Parida highlighted that the first 1,000 days—from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday—are crucial for physical growth, brain development and long-term health outcomes. She said the newly developed digital book presents important information in a simple and accessible format, enabling families to make informed decisions about maternal and child care.

She informed that Anganwadi workers would use the digital resource during home visits to educate beneficiaries and spread awareness at the grassroots level. The department also plans to circulate the content through digital platforms and social media to ensure wider public access.

The Deputy Chief Minister urged parents and family members to actively follow the recommendations outlined in the digital guide and adopt healthy practices that support the well-being of mothers and children. She expressed confidence that the initiative would contribute to building healthier families and improving child nutrition indicators across the state.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Director Monisha Banerjee and other senior officials were present at the programme. District Social Welfare Officers, Child Development Project Officers, nutrition officials and supervisors from across Odisha participated through virtual mode.