‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah’ launched in Kohima; appoints brand ambassador

Dimapur, Sep. 8 (EMN): ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah,’ an initiative of the ministry of Women and Child Development and NITI Aayog, was launched at Ura Hotel in Kohima on September 8. Rashtriya Poshan Maah is a programme that seeks to synergise efforts by leveraging technology and take nutrition awareness to the level of movement.
Speaking at the launching programme, Secretary of Social Welfare department, Sarah R Ritse informed that Prof. Alongla P Aier was selected as the brand ambassador of Rashtriya Poshan Maah. Ritse described Aier as a woman of faith, and a woman who had done much for the nutrition and health of women and children.

Launching the programme, Aier stated that the rate of under-nutrition remains very high in India. 48% children under the age of five are stunted due to chronic under-nutrition. She added that 36% of Indian women are chronically undernourished and are affected more than men due to specific nutrition needs of women during adolescence, pregnancy, and lactation. Aier further added that under-nourished children were likely to suffer from infections leading to early deaths, whereas women are at greater risk of complications during pregnancy which hinder India’s socio-economic development especially in the fight to reduce poverty

The goal of Poshan Abhiyaan is to achieve improvement in nutritional status of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in the next three years, she informed. It also aimed at reaching to every household with the message of nutrition, creating platforms, campaigns and common messages which she assured that it can be a sure sign of success if carried out in unity.

Joint secretary, Youth Resources & Sports, Lima who also spoke on the occasion said that the department of Youth Resources and Sports would be initiating ‘Yuva Shakti Rally’ on Sep. 15 to spread the message of Rashtriya Poshan Maah.