Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 04 September 2024
The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was officially inaugurated on 31st August 2024, with a series of activities aimed at promoting nutrition and health awareness. The opening event featured a plantation drive titled ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ organized at the Anganwadi Center (AWC) in School Line-1. The drive emphasized the importance of environmental conservation alongside nutritional awareness.
The inaugural ceremony saw the presence of key officials, including Mr. L. Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Social Welfare), Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (Social Welfare), Mr. P.C. James, Nodal Officer, POSHAN 2.0, Ms. Zarina Bibi, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) for the Urban Project, along with Mukhya Sevikas and Anganwadi Workers who actively participated in the event.
The month-long Rashtriya Poshan Maah, which runs from September 1 to September 30, is being conducted under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Urban Project. This year’s observance will focus on several key areas: combating anemia through testing, treatment, and awareness (‘Test, Treat, Talk’); monitoring child growth and promoting complementary feeding; integrating nutrition with education through the ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ initiative; leveraging technology for better governance; protecting the environment; and carrying out mass sensitisation activities.
The Rashtriya Poshan Maah, observed annually, plays a crucial role in raising awareness about nutrition and ensuring a healthier future for the nation. With a series of planned activities and campaigns, the initiative aims to address various aspects of health and nutrition, especially among women and children, and promote sustainable practices across communities.