The POSHAN Abhiyaan launched by Prime Minister aims to achieve improvement in status of nutrition of children and women by reducing the level of Stunting, under-nutrition, low birth weight in children and anaemia in children and women. Jan Andolan and community mobilization are essential component for effective implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan. In pursuance of this objective, Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated in convergence with all stakeholders during the month of September since 2018. Key convergence departments include DoSW, School Education, Local administration, RD-NSRLM, H& FW – AYUSH & PHED.

Fourth Rashtriya Poshan Maah is planned in the month of September 2021, to maintain the momentum and top capitalize on the gains of these events. This year for Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021, four basic themes, one each for each week has been identified. 

The Panchayati Raj institutions are the nodal point at the grassroots level. During the implementation of weekly thematic activities of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2021, the role of Panchayati Raj is envisaged in community mobilization, creating awareness in general and specifically in the following weekly activities planned for the month. Action Plan for the month long celebration is as follow:

1stweek: Plantation activity as “POSHAN VATIKA” – Launching of POSHAN MAAH on 1st September, Slogan writing competition about nutritious food for pregnant women, Plantation drive and promotion of kitchen garden at the district & block and village levels, 

2ndweek: Yoga and AYUSH for nutrition – Yoga demonstration, Anemia camps and cooking competition, at the village block and district levels.

3rdweek: Nutrition Kits distribution to Anganwadi beneficiaries in High Burden Districts – Ensuring timely distribution of nutrition Kits to eligible beneficiaries, Local food show, Poshan Seminar and Poshan rally at the block and district levels

Identification of SAM children – POSHAN Panchayat, Facilitating conduction of door to door survey for height and weight measurement drive of children under 5 years of age in entire catchments area of AWW, ASHA, ANM, from 1st September to 15th September. Subsequently supporting health functionaries for identification of SAM children, referral and community based awareness and sensitization on visual identification of SAM children in the fourth week of Poshan Maah, Awareness campaign on IYCF – (Infant and Young Child Feeding) at the village, block and district levels.

5th Week: Essay & Quiz competition on complementary feeding, Hand hygiene (WASH), VHSND and closing ceremony on 30th September. 

Source: SPMU, Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyaan

                                                                                                            (DIPR)