Rashtriya Poshan Mah

02 Sep 2023 Rashtriya Poshan Mah

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Rashtriya Poshan Mah”. The topic “Rashtriya Poshan Mah” has relevance in the Social Justice section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What Are the Key Highlights of Poshan Mah 2023?

For Mains:

GS 2: Social Justice

What Is Poshan Abhiyaan??

What Are Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?

Why in the news:

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) has observed the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Mah.

What Are the Key Highlights of Poshan Mah 2023?

Focus and Objective:

• The primary emphasis is on a comprehensive approach to combat malnutrition, a fundamental component of Mission Poshan 2.0.
• The primary goal is to increase awareness of critical life stages, including pregnancy, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, with the aim of promoting improved nutrition throughout India.

Theme:

• The theme for this year is ‘Suposhit Bharat, Sakshar Bharat, Sashakt Bharat’ (Nutrition-rich India, Educated India, Empowered India), underscoring the significance of nutrition, education, and empowerment in fostering a healthier and more robust nation.

This Year’s Initiatives:

• Throughout this month-long initiative, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) will lead nationwide campaigns to enhance awareness of nutrition, with a particular focus on essential themes like Exclusive Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding.

These efforts encompass activities such as:

• Swasth Balak Spardha (Healthy Child Competition) aimed at fostering healthy competition for enhanced nutrition and overall well-being.
• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (Nutrition and Education), which seeks to enhance nutrition through Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), sensitize tribal communities regarding nutrition, and address anemia via a Test, Treat, Talk approach.

Progress in 2022:

• In the Poshan Maah of 2022, there were over 170 million sensitization activities carried out, with a particular emphasis on nutrition-related themes.
• As part of the Jan Andolan movement, more than 600 million activities were organized during both Poshan Pakhwadas (in March) and Poshan Maahs (in September) each year.

What Is Poshan Abhiyaan?

Poshan Abhiyaan is a flagship initiative undertaken by the Government of India (GoI) with the aim of addressing malnutrition comprehensively.

Objective:

• This initiative seeks to establish an integrated nutrition support program that enhances the quality, delivery, reach, and overall outcomes of nutritional services.
• The primary emphasis is on promoting practices that enhance health, well-being, and immunity against diseases and malnutrition.

Target Audience: Poshan Abhiyaan is designed to benefit pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under the age of 6.

Poshan Tracker App: In 2021, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) introduced the Poshan Tracker application.

As of February 2022, the count of beneficiaries registered on the Poshan Tracker app:

What Are Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?

In the fiscal year 2021-22, the government undertook a restructuring of several schemes into Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. This restructuring includes the following sub-schemes:

1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
2. POSHAN Abhiyaan
3. Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
4. National Creche Scheme

Funding: Poshan 2.0 is an ongoing Centrally-Sponsored Scheme that is executed through the state governments and union territory administrations. It operates based on a cost-sharing arrangement between the Central and State Governments.

Vision:

• The primary objective is to address the critical issue of malnutrition among children up to the age of 6 years, adolescent girls (aged 14-18 years), and pregnant and lactating women.
• The program design is aligned with the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 4 on Quality Education).
• The focus is on recognizing the pivotal role of nutrition and early childhood care and education in ensuring the well-being, growth, and development of children into healthy and productive adults.

Components:

1. Nutrition Support for POSHAN, including Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) for children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers (PWLM).
2. For Adolescent Girls aged 14 to 18 years, with a specific focus on Aspirational Districts and the North Eastern Region (NER).
3. Early Childhood Care and Education for children aged 3-6 years, and early stimulation for those aged 0-3 years.
4. Anganwadi Infrastructure, encompassing modern and upgraded Saksham Anganwadi centers, as well as Poshan Abhiyaan initiatives.

SOURCE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1953756

Q.1 Consider the following statements regarding the Poshan 2.0:

1. It is a program under the Ministry of Health.
2. Its primary focus is on Child nutrition only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: D

Q.2 Discuss the significance and impact of the Poshan 2.0 Mission in addressing malnutrition in India. Analyze the key components and strategies of these initiatives and their contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

rishabh