The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has decided to celebrate the Poshan Maah across India throughout the month of September under the Poshan Abhiyan. The Poshan Maah 2021 will be observed as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The observance of Poshan Maah aims to address malnutrition among children, protect the children who are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition(SAM) and encourage consumption of a variety of vegetables and fruits among families in rural areas.
- September 2021 marks the observance of 4th Poshan Maah which will be celebrated as “Thematic Poshan Maah”.
Significance:
i.To ensure the outreach of the celebration the Poshan month has been subdivided into weekly themes focused towards improving holistic nutrition.
ii.The weekly theme for the activities to be taken up are,
- September 1 to 7 – Plantation Activity as “PoshanVatika”
- September 8 to 15 – Yoga and AYUSH for Nutrition
- September 16 to 23 – Distribution of ‘Regional Nutrition Kit’ to Anganwadi beneficiaries of High Burden Districts.
- September 24 to 30 – Identification of children with SAM and distribution of nutritious food.
Minister of WCD inaugurates Poshan 2.0:
i.Smriti Zubin Irani, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development(WCD) inaugurated Poshan 2.0, National Conference and urged all the districts to establish a Poshan Vatika(Nutrition Garden) during the nutrition month starting from September 1 to protect the children with SAM.
ii.The 3 main missions of the national conference are
- Poshan 2.0
- Mission Vatsalya
- Mission Shakti
Poshan 2.0:
i.The Mission Poshan 2.0 was launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2021 with an aim to prevent any backsliding of nutrition indicators.
ii.The Poshan 2.0 was launched following the decision of the government to devote attention and resources to integrate the various nutrition schemes of India.
iii.The Poshan 2.0 brings together the Integrated Child Development Services(ICDS)- Anganwadi Services, Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Poshan Abhiyaan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls and National Crèche Scheme.
iv.The ICDS are designed to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Average Daily Intake (ADI)
NUTRI GARDEN at AIIA:
i.Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the NUTRI GARDEN at All India Institute of Ayurveda(AIIA) to mark the beginning of Poshan Maah 2021.
ii.Plantation drive and distribution of plants having health and nutritional benefits were carried out for patients and health care workers like Shatavari, Ashwagandha, Musli and Yashtimadhu.
iii.Information brochure of selected plants having nutritive value was also provided to the common public.
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD):
Union Minister– Smriti Zubin Irani (Constituency- Amethi, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of state– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai(Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
