Jaipur, April 15 (IANS) The 8th National Nutrition Fortnight (Poshan Pakhwada), launched on April 9, is emerging as a comprehensive mass movement aimed at building a healthier Rajasthan, said officials from the state government on Wednesday.
The fortnight-long initiative focuses on ensuring optimal brain development in children during their first six years, while encouraging active community participation.
Special emphasis is being placed on reducing children’s screen time, promoting play-based learning in early childhood, and improving maternal and child nutrition.
The campaign will continue until April 23, and more than two million activities have already been conducted across the state.
This initiative is spreading awareness among families and communities about nutrition practices essential for healthy living and robust brain development.
At the grassroots level, it has become an effective platform for last-mile delivery of nutrition services through the Anganwadi network and community-based organisations.
By adopting a scientific and community-driven approach, the programme is laying a strong foundation for a nutrition-secure and healthy childhood.
It is widely recognised that over 85 per cent of brain development occurs by the age of six, with the most rapid growth taking place during the first 1,000 days of life.
In view of this, a focused activity titled “Early Stimulation for Brain Development” is being implemented under the programme. So far, more than 489,000 such activities have been conducted across Rajasthan.
Key activities conducted include over 682,000 activities under maternal and child nutrition, over 383,000 activities under play-based education in early years, over 242,000 activities focusing on reducing screen time, over 176,000 activities to strengthen Anganwadi Centres, and 27,671 activities under other categories.
It is noteworthy that the Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched on March 8, 2018, from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, by PM Modi.
The mission focuses on improving the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children (0–6 years).
The programme aims to reduce malnutrition and anaemia through technology-driven monitoring, inter-departmental convergence, and community participation.
It plays a crucial role in addressing nutritional challenges in a holistic and sustainable manner.
Rajasthan has shown commendable performance under the mission. During Rashtriya Poshan Maah held last September, the state secured second position, and later achieved first position during the 7th Poshan Pakhwada, said officials.
Major focus areas of the 8th Poshan Pakhwada under maternal and child nutrition include promoting proper nutrition during pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and timely complementary feeding; encouraging interaction and responsive caregiving for brain development; play-based learning (3–6 years) for supporting holistic growth and school readiness; reducing screen time to promote healthy habits among children through parental and community involvement; and strengthening Anganwadi Centres for enhancing infrastructure and service delivery through public participation and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
