Poshan Pakhwada 2020 Launched

Chandigarh.8^th March,2020:  8^th of March evey year is celebrated worldwide as the International Women's Day, but the date assumes double importance in the Indian Context, as it marks the second anniversary of the Government of India's overarching campaign against malnutrition - the Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan or the National Nutrition Mission.

The U.T. of Chandigarh has been particularly enthusiastic about this initiative and has in the past made great strides in this regard, for which it has also been commended at the National fora.

This year around too, Chandigarh Administration had planned mass community activities for the launch, that had to be stalled in view of the COVID-19 scare, as per directions of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

However, the Administration hasn't fallen short on it's resolve to engage masses, and so it was planned that higher officials from the Administration shall undertake 'Home Visits' to initiate the gamut of activities planned across the fortnight, and revitalize the cardinal outreach programme under the Anganwadi scheme.

Ms. Navjot Kaur, Director Social Welfare, U.T. Administration Chandigarh launched the Poshan Pakhwada 2020 Campaign by visiting homes of residents at Palsora, as part of the many 'Opinion Leaders' that shall be visiting Chandigarh's residents to reiterate the importance of nutrition and sanitation. The event was also attended by Ms. Parminder kaur Deputy Director, Ms.Monika Khanna, CDPO cum Nodal Officer , Ms. Sarita Godwanit Consultant BC &BCC,Mr Ravish Grewal, Consultant Health & Nutrition, Ms Usha Kiran,Child Development Protection Officer and Ms. Kalpana Kaur Child Development Protection Officer.

The officers, accompanied by dieticians, health experts and Anganwadi didis counselled the residents of Palsora about the many intervention areas along the contours of 'Poshan Ke 5 Sutra', and touched upon the great impact that even minor changes in attitude towards nutrition can have on individual and family health.

Special focus on counselling of males in the household, the husbands, fathers, fathers-in-law, and brothers was consciously given, so as to give fillip to male participation in the nutrition and health regime of the household.

As is customary in India, to initiate every good deed with offering sweets, the Poshan Pakhwada was also launched in similar fashion, the significant difference being that inplace of sweets, Poshan Baskets - containing various high nutritious items were distributed among the households. These ' Poshan Top-ups' were made to suit the family profile of the house being visited - special packs to suit the peculiar nutritious requirements of the family - separate packs for carrying mothers, households with newborns, etc.

In addition, an 8 pointered 'Model Code of Nutrition' was also distributed to the households. A simple to adopt, yet expansive checklist of practices related to nutrition, health and sanitation, it has been launched with a view to able to positively influence the behavioral patterns of the community.

The idea is to take the baton of nutrition from Anganwadi Centres to each and every household of the city, and engage maximum people in our fight against malnutrition.