The Ministry of Women and Child Development is launching the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, a nationwide campaign aimed at combating malnutrition and enhancing the health and well-being of women and children. This year's event will run from April 8 to April 22, 2025, focusing on four key themes: the critical first 1,000 days of life, the promotion of the beneficiary module of the Poshan Tracker, management of malnutrition through the Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) approach, and encouraging healthy lifestyles to address childhood obesity.
Poshan Pakhwada serves as a call to action, engaging communities and promoting healthy practices that contribute to a healthier and more nourished population. Launched under the Poshan Abhiyaan, a flagship initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the program aims to improve nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under six years of age.
According to the Ministry, this year’s Poshan Pakhwada emphasizes the importance of the first 1,000 days of life, which includes the period from conception to a child’s second birthday. This timeframe is critical for establishing a foundation for healthy growth and development. The initiative encourages exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, and proper maternal nutrition, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
“Poshan Abhiyaan aims to promote a healthy and nutritious diet among children and women with a blend of technology and tradition,” stated the Ministry. The Poshan Tracker app will play a vital role in this effort, enabling real-time monitoring of nutrition services at Anganwadi centers. Beneficiaries can register via the app, improving access to nutritional services.
This year’s campaign will officially commence with a special webcast on April 8, during which Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, will address officials from 18 partner ministries, state Women and Child Development departments, and Anganwadi workers across the country. The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annpurna Devi, will visit Arunachal Pradesh in the first week of the campaign to evaluate the implementation of ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting women and children in the state.
The Poshan Pakhwada 2025 is designed to be outcome-oriented, involving various stakeholders through initiatives such as home visits, nutrition camps, and awareness drives conducted at village, block, and district levels. The aim is to educate communities on holistic nutrition practices, including the significance of a balanced diet, regular health checkups, and the importance of hydration.
Malnutrition remains a pressing issue in India, affecting millions of children and mothers. It occurs when a person's diet lacks, exceeds, or is imbalanced in essential nutrients. This can lead to undernutrition, which affects growth, physical well-being, and mental health, or overnutrition, which can result in obesity and related diseases.
Common signs of malnutrition in children include low body weight, stunted growth, irritability, and frequent infections. The Poshan Pakhwada aims to address these issues by focusing on both prevention and management of malnutrition through community engagement and education.
In addition to addressing undernutrition, this year’s Poshan Pakhwada also highlights the growing concern of childhood obesity. Recent data indicates that the percentage of overweight children under the age of five has increased from 2.1% in 2015-16 to 3.4% in 2019-21, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). In response, policies are being developed to restrict junk food and promote healthy eating in schools.
As part of the campaign, schools will be encouraged to remove high-fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods from their canteens and promote fruits and vegetables, along with mandatory physical activities for students.
Poshan Pakhwada is not just a program; it is a movement aimed at ensuring every mother, child, and family has access to adequate nutrition. The initiative recognizes that when tradition and technology come together, and when Anganwadi workers are empowered, a strong and healthy India can be built.
During Poshan Pakhwada 2025, citizens will be encouraged to take a pledge for a healthier future, which includes commitments to eat healthy, stay active, and spread awareness within their communities. The campaign serves as a reminder that every individual's participation is crucial in the fight against malnutrition.
Experts emphasize that governmental initiatives like Poshan Pakhwada are vital for fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a Suposhit Bharat (Well-Nourished India), where every child, woman, and family enjoys a healthy, disease-free life. As India continues to battle malnutrition and rising lifestyle disorders, this year's Poshan Pakhwada represents a timely intervention that seeks to make nutrition a national priority, not just for a fortnight, but for life.
In conclusion, the Poshan Pakhwada 2025 is set to be a comprehensive and impactful campaign that addresses both immediate nutritional needs and long-term health outcomes for vulnerable populations. By leveraging technology, community participation, and traditional knowledge, it aims to build a healthier future for India.
