NITI Aayog launches National Nutrition Strategy

On 5^th September 2017, Leader of the Green Revolution Dr.M.S.Swaminathan and Padma Shri Dr.H.Sudarshanlaunched the National Nutrition Strategy, along with Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Dr.Rajiv Kumar and Member of Niti Aayog Dr.Vinod Paul.

Aim of the National Nutrition Strategy:

The National Nutrition Strategy aims to ensure that every child, adolescent girl and woman attains optimal nutritional status by 2022.

National Nutritional Strategy:

1. The Integrated Child Development Services Mission would be expanded to form a National Nutrition Mission along the lines of National Health Mission under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) according to the National Nutritional Strategy.
2. A steering group would be set up for monitoring the progress of the mission. This group will report directly toPrime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi. The steering group will be headed by WCD Minister Ms.Maneka Gandhi. Ministers from states with high burden districts will be made members on a rotational basis. Other members will include secretaries of WCD, members of finance ministry, health, panchayat raj, rural development, drinking water supply and food, state chief secretaries and five sector experts.
3. Under the National Nutrition Strategy the‘Nourishing India’ strategy proposes the use of tracking and targeting children from birth until they are three years old, Mr. Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog mentioned.
4. The National Nutrition Strategy lays out a framework that will focus on improvement in health, food, drinking water, sanitation, income and livelihoods. Currently50% of pregnant women and 60% of children in the country are estimated to be anaemic.
5. According to this Strategy thestates will be asked to create customised district specific action plans with greater role for rural and urban local bodies. The focus will be on de-centralised planning and local innovation. Nutrition outcomes will be monitored by Niti Aayog.

Leaders’ speech during the launch:

1. Mr.Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog said thatmalnutrition among children is “India’s biggest governance failure”. He also added that one third of the world’s stunted children live in India.
2. Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog Mr.Rajiv Kumar said “The document lays the roadmap for targeted action to address India’s nutritional needs. The Aayog has been tasked with monitoring the governance of the strategy”.

Other Static Information:

1. Leader of Green Revolution in India is Dr.M.S.Swaminathan.
2. The CEO of Niti Aayog is Mr.Amitabh Kant.
3. The Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog is Mr.Rajiv Kumar.