CM Patel Inaugurates the 7th ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024’ Nationwide from Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar : During the inauguration of the 7th ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah-2024’ in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel stated that the Poshan Abhiyan has become an innovative approach to transforming the maternal and child health ecosystem. He emphasised that Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month) will be crucial in achieving Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, with the goal of ‘Sahi Poshan-Desh Roshan’ by ensuring proper nutrition and health for mothers and children.

In 2018, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched the ‘Rashtriya Poshan Abhiyan’ to address malnutrition by focusing on the nutritional status of pregnant women, nursing mothers, adolescent girls, and children up to the age of six. Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the 7th series of this initiative, celebrating the entire month of September as Poshan Maah, from Gandhinagar, in the presence of Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi. 

The 7th phase of Poshan Maah nationwide will focus on themes such as anaemia prevention, growth monitoring, effective service delivery through good governance and technology, “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi,” and supplementary nutrition. During the event, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and Gujarat’s Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Bhanuben Babariya, symbolically administered Anaprashan drops to infants, distributed benefits to Vahli Dikri Yojana recipients, provided nutritional food kits to pregnant and nursing mothers and adolescent girls, and handed out assistance cheques to Swavalamban Yojana beneficiaries. The Chief Minister also launched the state’s new Nari Gaurav Niti-2024.

Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel further emphasized that inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision of realizing the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” through active public participation in national initiatives, Poshan Maah has evolved into a widespread public movement dedicated to combating malnutrition. He also elaborated on the integrated approach adopted by the Gujarat government for the nutrition, health, and education of mothers, pregnant women, adolescent girls, and children. The Chief Minister mentioned that the government provides pasteurised fortified flavoured milk to more than 13 lakh children under the Doodh Sanjeevani scheme to improve the nutrition levels of children, especially those in tribal areas. Additionally, extra protein and supplementary nutritious food are provided through the Take-Home Ration, Poshan Sudha, and Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana. He noted that the positive results of such comprehensive nutrition schemes have been observed in the state, with 45 lakh beneficiaries having received benefits so far. Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister launched the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign to promote environmental sustainability alongside maternal and child nutrition in the country. He proudly mentioned that Gujarat has embraced the initiative of plantation, tree care, and maintenance under this campaign in all 53,000 Anganwadis across the state. The Chief Minister urged everyone to collectively strive to achieve new heights of success in this 7th Poshan Maah. At the launch of the Rashtriya Poshan Maah, Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt Annpurna Devi stated that as India enters the Amrit Kaal of its Azadi (An Era of Independence), the Poshan Abhiyan is playing a crucial role in making the country malnutrition-free for achieving the goal of Viksit bharat. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised the development and nutrition of women and children. Referring to the recent edition of the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat, she mentioned that the Prime Minister emphasised that providing proper nutrition to the country’s children and women is a national priority.

The Union Minister further stated that under the Poshan Abhiyan, more than 3.17 Crore community-based programs have been conducted in the last four years. The Government of India has planned the celebration of the “Rashtriya Poshan Maah” in 2024-25 based on various themes, including anaemia, growth monitoring, supplementary nutrition, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB), good governance, transparency, and efficient service delivery through technology, as well as comprehensive nutrition that covers all essential aspects related to nutrition. All these theme-based activities will be organized throughout the country during this month. The Minister asserted that the health of the nation is directly linked to the health of its women. She further elaborated that over the past ten years, the Government of India has not only implemented a wide array of schemes focused on women and children but has also ensured their effective execution and strict monitoring. The government is taking meticulous measures to ensure that the benefits of these initiatives reach every intended beneficiary, even in the most remote areas. Praising Gujarat’s efforts, the Minister remarked that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and the guidance of Women and Child Welfare Minister Smt. Bhanuben Babariya, Gujarat has achieved exemplary progress in the field of nutrition. She conveyed faith that, consistent with previous years, Gujarat will once again take the lead in the observance of Poshan Maah this year.

The Gujarat government has implemented various measures to ensure the safety of women, one of the most commendable being the 181 Abhayam Women Helpline, which has played a significant role in protecting numerous women. The Union Minister further noted that Gujarat’s 181 Abhayam Helpline model has become an exemplary initiative for other states to follow. Discussing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, the Union Minister stated that the initiative will encompass tree plantation in 14 Lakhs Anganwadi centres across the country. Given the current challenges of global warming, this mission is anticipated to be effective in restoring environmental balance and securing a sustainable future.

The Secretary of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Shri Anil Malik, commended Gujarat’s performance in implementing the Nutrition Tracker. He provided comprehensive details on the various initiatives and activities undertaken by the Government of India as part of the nutrition campaign, as well as the programs scheduled for Poshan Maah. Furthermore, he offered an in-depth explanation of the significance of nutrition. The Secretary of the Gujarat Department of Women and Child Welfare, Shri Rakesh Shanker, extended a formal welcome to all participants at the event and provided a detailed account of the activities currently underway under the nutrition campaign in Gujarat.

The program was attended by Member of Parliament from Mehsana Shri Haribhai Patel, MLAs Smt. Rita Patel and Shri Jayanti Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation Smt Mira Patel, President of Gandhinagar District Panchayat Smt. Shilpa Patel, Gujarat’s ICDS Commissioner Shri Ranjitkumar Sinh, along with senior officials, employees from the Government of India, Gujarat’s Women and Child Development Department, Anganwadi workers, and beneficiaries.
 

Source: Information Department, Gujarat