”You are what you eat” and “You don’t have to eat less, you just have to eat right” are the popular phrases which boldly underline the deep significance and importance of nutrition for a healthy body and mind. It is a well-known fact that nutrition in one’s diet alongside the consumption of functional food help in the prevention, control and treatment of several chronic diseases, simultaneously providing optimized nourishment for our daily metabolic activities.
In order to bring a widespread awareness about the optimum food choices and lifestyle changes in the diaspora of people, the nutrition fraternity celebrates the “National Nutrition Week” year after year from 1st to 7th Sep. The week signifies a specific theme of the year to synergize activities and focus across the country.
This year our Government has decided to celebrate it as the “Rashtriya Poshan Maah”2020 for the entire month of September beginning from 1st Sep. There are two major activities for the Poshan Maah 1. Identification and tracking of children with severe acute malnutrition(SAM) 2. Plantation drive for the promotion of Kitchen garden under “Poshan ke liye Paudhe” drive. The Prime Minister’s Overreaching scheme for Holistic nourishment – Poshan Abhiyan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with a vision to address malnutrition with a targeted approach by 2022. Poshan Abhiyaan was launched by the Prime Minister in March 2018 from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan.
According to the note on the celebration of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2020 released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the programme aims at achieving improvement in nutritional status of children up to six years of age, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers. The purpose of celebrating the Poshan month is to take the message of nutrition to every nook and corner of the country and to focus on the complimentary food, treatment and prevention from infections in children. It also focuses on the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding practice to infants up to the age of at least six months.
Besides this, in the Poshan maah it has been decided to focus on the plantation of Kitchen Nutri gardens wherein people are to encouraged to plant nutritious vegetable and fruit-bearing plants and trees. In case of absence of the land potted plants and terrace, gardens are to be encouraged. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of micronutrients and their regular consumption is important for good health, nutrition and well being. As an example, regular and proper intake of Iron-rich vegetables and fruits may help reduce anaemia. Also, consumption of citrus fruits, turmeric, ginger and other such locally grown products associated with boosting of immunity, may help in the prevention of viral infections and diseases.
September being an ideal season for growing vegetables and fruits across most parts of India, a plantation drive such as “Poshan ke liye Paudhe”, for development of kitchen garden may be encouraged up to the grass-root level. Hence, together as a country let us take this pledge to fight against the under-nutrition in children and take the plantation drive forward by educating about its importance to the person right in front of us.
National Nutrition Week’s Poshan Maah will be celebrated across India on multiple platforms and means like E meetings, webinars, competitions, photographs of plantation drives, success stories etc. Lets together make India a healthier country.
Based on the inputs of:
Dr Deepti Verma
Programme Head – Nutrition
VLCC Healthcare Limited – Skill Development
