India’s 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah: Over 1.79 Crore Activities to Boost Infant Nutrition
The Ministry of Women and Child Development in India has reported 1.79 crore activities from 756 districts across 35 states and UTs as part of the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah. The event, launched on August 31, 2024, focuses on themes like complementary feeding, anemia, and growth monitoring.
Key Themes and Activities
This year’s theme includes Complementary Feeding, a critical aspect of infant nutrition. The ministry advised that around or after the age of 6 months, an infant’s need for energy and nutrients starts to exceed that which is provided by breast milk. Complementary foods are necessary to meet those needs. During this period, children are at high risk of undernutrition. Sensitisation of the community about the time of initiation, nutritional quality, quantity, and frequency of complementary feeding will help ensure healthy growth of children.
Top Contributing States
Key states contributing to the activities include Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Environmental Sustainability
The campaign also promotes environmental sustainability through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, encouraging plantation at Anganwadi centers.
Statistics
| Theme | Number of Activities |
|---|---|
| Anemia | Over 39 lakh |
| Growth Monitoring | Over 27 lakh |
| Complementary Feeding | Almost 20 lakh |
| Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi | Over 18.5 lakh |
| Environmental Sustainability | 8 lakh |
Doubts Revealed
Rashtriya Poshan Maah -: Rashtriya Poshan Maah is a national nutrition month in India aimed at improving nutrition for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Ministry of Women and Child Development -: This is a part of the Indian government that focuses on the welfare and development of women and children in the country.
1.79 crore -: 1.79 crore means 17.9 million. In India, ‘crore’ is a term used to denote ten million.
districts -: A district is an administrative division in India, similar to a county in other countries.
states and UTs -: States are large areas in India with their own governments, while UTs (Union Territories) are regions governed directly by the central government.
complementary feeding -: Complementary feeding means giving babies other foods and liquids along with breast milk after six months of age.
anemia -: Anemia is a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues, making you feel tired and weak.
growth monitoring -: Growth monitoring involves regularly checking a child’s growth to ensure they are developing properly.
Anganwadi centers -: Anganwadi centers are rural child care centers in India that provide basic health care, nutrition, and education to young children and their mothers.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam -: This means ‘One Tree in the Name of Mother’ and is an initiative to plant trees at Anganwadi centers to promote environmental sustainability.
