Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 11: Improving nutrition outcomes among women, children and adolescents will remain the central focus of the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with the campaign emphasising dietary diversity, maternal health and early childhood development. The ICDS Urban Project under the Directorate of Social Welfare inaugurated the month-long programme at the TGCE auditorium today.
Rashtriya Poshan Maah is being observed from September 9 to October 8 under the Government of India’s flagship nutrition initiative, Poshan Abhiyaan. The campaign seeks to reinforce awareness and action on nutrition, health and early childhood development while bringing government departments and community stakeholders into a coordinated effort.
Secretary (Social Welfare/Finance) Hemant Kumar, Director (Social Welfare) Mohit Mishra and Director of Health Services H. M. Siddaraju attended the inaugural programme. Officials and representatives from the Health, Education and Agriculture Departments, Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs and other stakeholder departments also participated.
Addressing the gathering, Hemant Kumar stressed the importance of community participation and coordination between departments to improve nutrition outcomes. He outlined the key thematic areas being addressed during Poshan Maah, covering dietary diversity and adequate protein, fresh hot cooked meals, community ownership and accountability, and nutrition and early stimulation for childhood development.
The campaign will also highlight the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, including its cash transfer component aimed at supporting maternal health.
Mohit Mishra underlined the need for collective responsibility and active community participation in implementing Poshan Abhiyaan. He also emphasised effective coordination among departments and other stakeholders to ensure the programme’s objectives are pursued through a coordinated approach.
The inaugural programme concluded with a vote of thanks, with the participating Administration, frontline workers, departments, community organisations and citizens reaffirming their commitment to improving nutrition outcomes.
The observance will continue through October 8, keeping nutrition, health and early childhood development at the centre of activities under the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah.
