Grand Inauguration Marks the Commencement of 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah to Promote Nutrition and Eradicate Malnutrition

Chandigarh, September 1st, 2023

The 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, a month-long initiative aimed at promoting nutrition and eradicating malnutrition, kicked off with a grand inauguration ceremony on Friday, September 1st, 2023. The event was graced by the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab & Administrator UT Chandigarh, Shri. Banwarilal Purohit Ji, who presided over the release of the Millet Recipe Booklet titled “सुपोषण 2.O – श्री अन्न व्यंजन पुस्तिका.” Distinguished guests in attendance included Sh. Dharam Pal, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration, Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Home Secretary cum Secretary Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, Dr. Palika Arora, PCS Director Social Welfare & Women Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, Mr. Naveen, Danics, Joint Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration.

Sh. Dharam Pal, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, Chandigarh Administration, highlighted the significance of the Millet Recipe Booklet as a crucial step in educating the public about incorporating millets into their daily diets. This initiative aligns with the observance of the International Millets year under Chandigarh Millet Mission. The Department of Social Welfare is actively promoting millet usage through various initiatives, including live kitchen sessions and a dedicated YouTube channel called “Chandigarh Millet Mission” showcasing millet-based recipes.

Sh. Nitin Kumar Yadav, IAS, Home Secretary cum Secretary Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, emphasized the importance of the month-long program in raising awareness about nutrition, targeting not only Anganwadi beneficiaries (children up to 6 years old, pregnant women, and lactating mothers) but also the broader population of UT Chandigarh. All line departments of UT Chandigarh are actively participating in this effort, with the shared goal of eradicating malnutrition through collaborative efforts, transforming it into a Jan Andolan (People’s Movement). This 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah focuses on six themes:

1. Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding
2. Swasth Balak Spardha
3. Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi
4. Improving Nutrition through Mission LIFE
5. Meri Mati Mera Desh
6. Test, Treat, Talk Anaemia

Dr. Palika Arora, PCS, Director Social Welfare, Women & Child Development, Chandigarh Administration, informed that since 2018, POSHAN Maah & POSHAN Pakhwada have been celebrated with full enthusiasm, resulting in over 5.00 lakh Jan Andolan activities conducted during September and March respectively.

The efforts of the Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 team received high praise from the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab & Administrator UT Chandigarh, who emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum throughout POSHAN MAAH 2023 to make Chandigarh a malnutrition-free Union Territory. The “सुपोषण2.O – श्री अन्न व्यंजन पुस्तिका” was lauded as a valuable resource, providing knowledge of delicious millet-based recipes to empower families with nutritious meal choices.

The commencement of the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah reaffirms the commitment to improving nutrition and health outcomes for all, with a special focus on the most vulnerable populations in Chandigarh.