Oct 01, 2024 . Read 5 min
Transforming Lives: How Nand Ghar supports POSHAN Abhiyaan's mission against malnutrition
Team Vedanta
In Kaduavita village, Bokaro, Menka Devi spent sleepless nights worrying about her 17-month-old daughter, Manju, who had health issues and was unable to walk properly. She learnt about nutrition screening sessions at a nearby Nand Ghar, and upon taking Manju for a checkup, she discovered the issue: at just 6 kgs, the child weighed significantly lower than the “normal” weight range for her age and height. Through specialised care, nutritional diet, supplements and medical attention, under the watchful eyes of nutrition experts at the recommended Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Manju's weight saw a remarkable improvement, as did her health.
Nand Ghar, the flagship project of the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) has helped thousands of children like Manju by playing a crucial role in combatting malnutrition in the country. The project seeks to revolutionise India’s Anganwadi network by offering modern infrastructure and integrated services, including early childhood education, nutrition, health and women’s skill development. Nand Ghar has developed ~6,500 centres across 14 states in India, where among various other facilities, hot cooked meals and Take-Home Ration are facilitated for children and women.
The meals provided at Nand Ghar meet the nutritional norms of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, complete with essential fortifications and are prepared following best practices for hygiene. The menu is a vibrant celebration of regional flavours of various states, featuring dishes like poha, upma and halwa, making mealtime both nutritious and enjoyable for children. By bolstering the government delivery system, Nand Ghar not only guarantees food safety and hygiene but also amplifies the impact of the government’s flagship programme, the POSHAN Abhiyaan initiative.
India has long struggled with malnutrition, which significantly impacts the health of children and youth. As of November 2023, government data revealed that among 7.44 crore children under six years, 37.51% were stunted, 17.43% were underweight and 6% children under five years were wasted or acutely malnourished.
POSHAN Abhiyaan offers key Anganwadi services to improve nutritional outcomes for children under six years of age, pregnant women and new mothers. Taking a cue from this initiative’s recommendations, Nand Ghars have also facilitated the establishment of nutrition gardens or Poshan Vatikas, which have helped thousands of community members and women in the country. Nirmala Devi, an Anganwadi worker from Sikar, Rajasthan, is one of them. Using the organic seeds and composting advice provided by Nand Ghar, she started her own kitchen garden. Today, not only does it serve as an additional source of nutrition for her family, but it has also inspired her neighbours to follow suit.
Nand Ghar aims to continue to scale up and transform the lives of 7 crore children and 2 crore women in India through 14 lakh Anganwadis. Earlier this year, AAF launched the Nand Ghar Movement, '#KhaanaKhaayaKya,' which highlights the importance of holistic nutrition and development of children in the country. Launched with the tagline ‘Agar Bachpan Se Poocha Khaana Khaaya Toh Desh Ka Kal Banaya,’ the movement is a part of AAF’s efforts to build a better future for children and the youth in India. You can join the #KhaanaKhaayaKya movement by donating, volunteering or travelling to Nand Ghar and spreading the word about the movement. If you are a corporate, NGO, or a government institution, you can also partner with Project Nand Ghar to help transform lives. To know more, visit www.nandghar.org or email Nand Ghar at: contactus@nandghar.org.
By aligning its efforts with POSHAN Abhiyaan, Nand Ghar has profoundly impacted the lives of thousands of children like Manju and women like Nirmala Devi across the country, showcasing the tangible benefits of this collaborative approach. And now, by donating, volunteering or partnering with Nand Ghar, you too can pave the way for a healthier, more nourished future for India.
