More than 15 crore activities were conducted under the various themes, across the country during the 5th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (1st to 30th September,2022) contributing in the Prime Minister’s vision for a Suposhit Bharat. Prior to 5th Poshan Maah four Poshan Maahs and 4 Poshan Pakhwadas have been held since the launch of the Abhiyan, with a collective activity count of more than 40 crores.
This year, the Gram Panchayats were triggered to be the focal points of all the activities during Poshan Maah. This helped mobilize various committees at the ground viz. Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC), School Management Committee (SMC)/ Education Committee, Water &Environmental Conservation Committee, Planning and Development Committee, Social Justice Standing Committee etc. Considering Poshan Panchayats as the nucleus of all the activities, the broader themes for Poshan Maah 2022 were Mahila aur Swasthya, Bachcha aur Shiksha, Gender Sensitive Water Management and Traditional Food for Women & Child.
Under the theme ‘Mahila aur Swasthya’ prominent activities conducted across the country, included, Anemia screening and awareness campaigns (approximately 32 lakhs), Ante natal check up camps (approx 11 lakhs), awareness campaigns on menstrual hygiene( approx 7 lakhs), Activities on hand wash and sanitisation ( approx 41 lakhs) etc.
The other key theme , Bachcha aur Shiksha– Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi, that called for focus on quality pre-school education for children under 6 years has also gained momentum during Maah 2022. Under this theme close to 81 lakh activities were conducted focussing on early childhood care and education. Besides general sensitisation for early learning, use and development of indigenous and locally available toys for learning at AWCs has been promoted nationwide.
A National Seminar on Indigenous Toys for Nurturing Early Childhood Development was organized in Delhi under the chairperson-ship of Union Minister of WCD. The workshop / seminar was live streamed on Youtube for the benefit of all ICDS functionaries upto the Anganwadi Workers / Helpers. Besides panel discussions on age-appropriate toys and universalization of toys by experts, the seminar included live display of indigenous toy creation by master crafts-persons and sessions on creation of local toys by Anganwadi Workers from different regions of the country.
