• The ministry of women and child development is celebrating the sixth Rashtriya Poshan Maah throughout the month of September. 

• This year, the objective is to comprehensively tackle malnutrition through a life-cycle approach, the cornerstone of Mission Poshan 2.0. 

• Anchored in this approach, the focal point of Poshan Maah 2023 is to cultivate widespread awareness concerning critical human life stages —  pregnancy, infancy, childhood and adolescence.

• This year’s theme is “Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat” (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India).

• Outreach programmes, identification drives, camps, and home visits will be conducted at the village, block and district levels, engaging diverse segments of the community to spread awareness about holistic nutrition.

• Encouraging nutrition-seeking behaviour at both the individual and community levels stands as a pivotal component in realising the goals of Poshan Abhiyaan. This objective continues to be pursued through Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.

• To achieve this objective, Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated in collaboration with all stakeholders from September 1 to 30.

Poshan Abhiyaan

• There are a number of schemes in India aimed at improving the nutritional status of children (0-6 years) as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers. In spite of these, the level of malnutrition and related problems in the country is high. The lack of synergy between schemes to achieve a common goal has been blamed. Poshan Abhiyaan through a robust convergence mechanism and other components would strive to create the synergy.

• PM Modi launched Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) in March 2018.

• The objective of the scheme is to reduce stunting in identified districts of India with the highest malnutrition burden by improving utilisation of key anganwadi services and improving its quality.

• It aims to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children.

• Further, Mission Poshan 2.0, an integrated nutrition support programme which subsumes Supplementary Nutrition Programme and Poshan Abhiyaan, has been announced in Budget 2021-2022 for all states/UTs to strengthen nutritional content, delivery, outreach and outcomes with focus on developing practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity to disease and malnutrition.

• The Abhiyaan has been rolled out in all the 36 states/UTs covering all the districts across the country.

• Poshan Abhiyaan is a key component of Mission SakshamAnganwadi and Poshan 2.0. 

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

• The efforts under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme of Anganwadi Services and Poshan  Abhiyaan have been aligned under ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0’ (Mission Poshan 2.0), which is an integrated nutrition support programme.

• It seeks to address the challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by creation of a convergent ecosystem to develop and promote practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity.

• Under Mission Poshan 2.0, focus is on diet diversity, food fortification, and popularising use of millets. 

• Nutrition awareness strategies under Poshan 2.0 aim to develop sustainable health and well-being through wholesome local foods to bridge dietary gaps. 

The objectives of Poshan 2.0 are:

i) To contribute to human capital development of the country.

ii) Address challenges of malnutrition.

iii) Promote nutrition awareness and good eating habits for sustainable health and wellbeing.

iv) Address nutrition related deficiencies through key strategies.

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