The month of September is celebrated as "Poshan Maah" every year across India from the year 2017-18 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Central Government to ensure nutrition among the women and children of the country towards building a healthy India. This year too, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the seventh "Poshan Maah" will be celebrated across the country from 1st to 30th September. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi inaugurated the Nationwide Nutrition Month celebration from Gandhinagar. Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and Women and Child Welfare Minister Smt. Bhanuben Babria were also present at the program, which was held at Mahatma Mandir.

In the program organized on the occasion of the launch of the 7th “Poshan Maah”, nutrition baskets were distributed for Annaprashan, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls by dignitaries. Along with this, assistance amounts were also distributed to beneficiaries of the State Government's Ladli Beti Yojana, Ganga Swaroopa Economic Assistance Scheme, Widow Remarriage Economic Assistance Scheme, and Women's Swalamban Yojana. On the occasion of the seventh Poshan Maah, on the call of the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a plantation campaign was also launched at 14 lakh Anganwadi centers under "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam".

On this occasion, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi said that Prime Minister Modi has always been an inspiration for women and children, and through Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and under the PM’s guidance, the empowerment of women is being ensured. Today, under his leadership, women, children, and adolescents are committed to healthy and safe nutrition.

Smt. Annpurna Devi said that nutrition is a word that has many dimensions within itself. Nutrition includes not only adequate and balanced food and water but also a balanced body and mind. It is written in our Upanishads, 'आहार शद्धौ सत्वशद्धिः’ which means that when our diet is pure, our consciousness will also be pure. That is why nutrition is not just a word but contains many dimensions, the minister added.

Recognizing the importance of nutrition, under the guidance of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, the Government of India has launched Nutrition Month, which is in its seventh edition. The main objective of its launch is to increase awareness about nutrition among the common people of India, especially among women. If they are made aware of nutrition, it will have many benefits.

According to the Union Minister, 6.42 lakh nutrition gardens have been established at Anganwadi centers, enabling our clients to have easy access to fresh produce, fruits, medicinal herbs, and plants. More than 1 lakh 36 thousand Anganwadi Centers have been granted permission to be upgraded to functional Anganwadi to bolster Anganwadi Centers under Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Poshan 2.0. Additionally, adding millet or other similar ingredients to the dishes has been recommended as a way to improve the nutritional quality of the food supplied under the supplemental nutrition program.

Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi stated that the Hon'ble Prime Minister spoke extensively on Nutrition Month and its significance during his speech on the "Mann Ki Baat" program just last Sunday. He declared, "The nation's top priority is the nutrition of its youth. While we keep an eye on their diet all year long, one month in particular is dedicated to it. In observance of this, September 30 is designated as Nutrition Month on September 1st of each year. The Honorable Prime Minister's ideas demonstrate his dedication to the overall well-being and dietary habits of children, mothers, and sisters."

Smt. Annpurna Devi said that there are six important aspects of this year's Nutrition Month:

- Anemia awareness

- Growth monitoring

- Nutrition as well as education

- Appropriate dietary supplements

- Technology-based transparency

- Environmental protection

According to Smt. Annpurna Devi, the Government of India has started the "Nutrition and Education" initiative in Anganwadi Centers, which combines the provision of nourishment and education, with an emphasis on the holistic development of children. Special training is provided to Anganwadi workers to ensure its seamless operation. We plan to provide training to all Anganwadi workers over the following two years, enabling them to serve as both food suppliers and educators for our young children.

Mission Vatsalya Yojana's "No Child be Left Behind" program guarantees the safety and well-rounded development of kids facing challenging situations. In order to incorporate disabled children into the Anganwadi network, the Anganwadi Protocol for Children with Disabilities through Women and Child Development has also been developed. Instead of using a strictly medical paradigm, it embraces a social perspective of disability.

On the occasion of this seventh Poshan Maah, Smt. Annpurna Devi said that, at the request of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a campaign to plant trees in 14 lakh Anganwadi centers under the name "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" is being launched. The phrase "Ek Ped Maa ke Naam" has a mother and a tree in the shape of Prakriti if you examine its phrasing, the Union Minister remarked. Since we were young children, we have heard the proverb 'माता भूमिः, पुत्रोऽहं पृथिव्याः'. In other words, we are all children of mother Earth.

Since the nutrition campaign was launched in the year 2017-18, a total of six Nutrition Months have been celebrated so far, with Gujarat leading every year. The Government of India will organize the celebration of "National Nutrition Month" for the year 2024-25 based on various themes. These include anemia, growth monitoring, complementary feeding, ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ (PBPB), good governance, transparency, and technology for efficient service delivery and holistic nutrition, which covers all essential elements related to nutrition. Various activities based on these themes will be organized across the country, including Gujarat.

Efforts are made to improve nutrition outcomes in a holistic manner for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children below 6 years of age through the nutrition campaign. Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 is an integrated nutrition support program, which includes Anganwadi services and schemes for adolescent girls.

AP/GP/JD

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