DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana Women and Child Development Department is organizing the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, which will continue until April 22. The initiative, under Poshan Abhiyaan, aims to promote healthy and nutritious diets among women and children by integrating modern technology with traditional practices.

Women and Child Development Minister, Mrs. Shruti Chaudhary, said that this year's Poshan Pakhwada is centered around the first 1,000 days of a child's life, a critical period for growth and development.

As part of the campaign, 'Weighing Day' activities are being conducted across all Anganwadi centers in the state for children up to six years of age. She has directed department officials to raise awareness about balanced diets and anemia in every village.

She also emphasized the importance of encouraging healthy lifestyle habits to help combat childhood obesity.

A detailed calendar has been prepared by the Women and Child Development Department, guiding supervisors to carry out various activities within their respective circles.

As part of the Poshan Abhiyaan, awareness campaigns are being conducted on maternal nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding. Door-to-door vaccination drives are being carried out for children up to two years of age, while public awareness is also being raised about the use of the Nutrition Tracker.

Nutritious Thali competitions are being held at Anganwadi centers for both children and mothers to promote healthy eating habits. Pregnant and lactating women are being educated about the importance of essential nutrients.

Gram Sabhas are also being organized under Poshan Pakhwada, where maternal and child nutrition beneficiaries are being encouraged to complete their digital registration independently.

Special "Mother Meetings" are being held for the caregivers of severely malnourished children, providing guidance on appropriate dietary practices. Since the launch of Poshan Pakhwada on April 8, a wide range of activities have been conducted in collaboration with various departments. These include health check-up camps, tree plantation drives, nutrition walks, cycle rallies, yoga sessions, Gram Sabha meetings, nutrition-focused events, workshops, webinars, and competitions.

(editor@dailyworld.in)