Maharashtra Receives 14 awards Under ‘Poshan Maah' Campaign

New Delhi, 10: Under the ‘Poshan Maah’ campaign of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Maharashtra today received 14 national awards for exemplary work done in bringing about awareness to pregnant women and lactating mothers regarding nutrition in the state, malnutrition among children and nutrition of girls and their health.

Under the Ministry of WCD, the nodal ministry for the National Nutrition Mission/ Poshan Abhiyaan recognized exemplary works at all levels and across Ministries/Departments during the Poshan Maah as part of the Poshan Maah Award Ceremony held in New Delhi, today. The Awards ceremony was graced by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice- Chairman, NITI Aayog, Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member NITI Aayog, Secretary, Rakesh Srivastava, Ministry of WCD and many other high ranking officials graced the occasion.

Maharashtra received a total of 14 awards. Of which, 12 were at the regional level and two at the District level. A Medal and a Certificate of Appreciation comprised the Award.

Programs organized in Maharashtra under 'Poshan Maah'

A 'Godbharayi' program is organized, when the expecting mother is in her seventh month of her pregnancy. During this time, a dietary guidance was given to these women as to what a healthy diet should consist of, popularly known as 'Anna Prashan'. Awareness and guidance to lactating mothers was also given. Women were guided to get their Hb and thyroid checked to ensure the health of the mother and the baby. Guidance to girls for taking care of their health and hygiene was also one of the objectives of this Abhiyan. The 'Akshayapatra' program was organized at every ANW Center, under which women were encouraged to bring onions, potatoes, green vegetables, etc. to bring awareness of proper nutrition. 

 Kolhapur the only District to bag Highest of Five Awards

Under the Poshan Maah Campaign implemented for the month of September, across the country, the Kolhapur District executed exemplary work bagging five awards.  Particularly, four of these women belong to the Kagal Taluka, who received these awards. They are Smt. Anita Salaskar, anganwadi worker at Male, Sandhya Chandane, health assistant of primary health center, Smita Chopade, supervisor of PHC and health worker Vaishali Shitole, who is working in Male sub-center.  ASHA Worker Shobha Lohar from Kolhapur was also felicitated at this time.

Bhandara ANM activist Chanda Jhalke, who is working in Shindi PHC in was felicitated along with Supervisor of Ghargaon Project in Sangamner Taluka of Ahmednagar district, Kalp[ana Andure, and Sagamner Project’s Swasth Bharat Prerak, Sangita Pawar, Chandrapur’s Puja Verulkar, Nashik’s Anganwadi Worker, Manda ASHA Worker Pushpa Shinde and ANM activist Lakshmi Gaikwad were honored with this award.

 Chandrapur and Nashik Districts Felicitated

The Districts of Chandrapur and Nashik were honored at the district level for best team work at the state level. Kiran Suryavanshi, Child Development Project Officer, Chandrapur and Sunil Dosane, Nashik Child Development Project Officer, received this award.

 The Poshan Maah' Abhiyan of Women and Child Development Ministry was celebrated as Poshan Maah' in 36 Districts and Union Territories across the country for the Month of  September 2018. Awareness programs were implemented from village level to the pregnant mother, the lactating mother, healthy diet, awareness of nutrition among children, nutrition of girls and awareness of their health. These programs were registered on the Nutrition Campaign website.

It was also announced in the Awards Ceremony that 150 crores was earmarked for recognizing the good works of field functionaries and cash awards would be instituted and given at the one year anniversary celebrations of Poshan Abhiyaan in March 2019.