Nutrition as a Continuous Journey
Addressing the gathering via video message, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized that nutrition is not a one-day campaign but a continuous journey. She stated, “Every child is healthy, every mother is empowered, and every family is well-nourished.” She recalled Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s words at the launch of Poshan Abhiyaan, affirming that healthy women and empowered families form the foundation of a Viksit Bharat.
Honouring Frontline Workers
The ceremony was graced by Smt. Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, as the Chief Guest, along with Uttarakhand ministers Smt. Rekha Arya and Shri Ganesh Joshi. Minister Thakur lauded Anganwadi workers for transforming Poshan Abhiyaan into a nationwide movement. She highlighted that since its inception in 2018, the campaign has mobilized over 140 crore community-based activities, embedding nutrition as a culture rather than just a programme.
Promoting Local Foods and Digital Tools
Smt. Rekha Arya underscored the significance of local foods, millet inclusion, and nutrition awareness in hilly and tribal regions, reflecting the ‘Vocal for Local’ spirit. She praised the Poshan Tracker mobile application for enhancing transparency and efficiency in Anganwadi service delivery. Shri Ganesh Joshi highlighted indigenous millets such as mandua (ragi) and jhangora (barnyard millet), advocating for a return to wholesome, homegrown diets to improve health, livelihoods, and sustainable agriculture.
Anganwadi Services and Digital Integration
Shri Lav Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, emphasized that Anganwadi services, launched in 1975, have evolved into the world’s largest early childhood care programme, serving over 9 crore beneficiaries. With 14 lakh centres and 99.55% Aadhaar authentication, digital integration through Poshan Tracker ensures accountability, while 2 lakh Anganwadi centres are being upgraded into child-friendly “Saksham” centres equipped with smart devices and growth monitoring tools.
Thematic Highlights and Community Engagement
Poshan Maah 2025 engaged communities through six thematic pillars: addressing childhood obesity, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), Men-streaming, promoting local foods, and enhancing convergence and digitisation. Over 1.5 crore activities focused on Men-streaming, recognizing the role of fathers and male caregivers in family nutrition. Nationwide, more than 14 crore activities strengthened the community-driven Poshan Jan Andolan.
Impact and Future Outlook
The campaign also featured felicitation of Poshan and Mission Shakti Champions, distribution of Mahalakshmi Kits and Poshan Kits for adolescent girls, and online release of the ‘Vatsalya’ instalment for children from COVID-affected families. The Ministry emphasized that children benefiting from Anganwadi services today will become the healthy, capable youth driving India’s growth by 2047. Poshan Maah 2025 reinforces the government’s commitment to Mission Saksham Anganwadi, Poshan 2.0, and a Suposhit and Viksit Bharat.
