An inter-state knowledge sharing meet, 14th December 2018, Mumbai

Action Against Hunger* – India organised a Consultation on Poshan Abhiyaan, National Nutrition Mission, the flagship program of the Government of India that aims at improving nutrition outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

The meet brought together stakeholders from different States in India, all working towards tackling the causes and consequences of malnutrition in children. This Inter-State Knowledge Sharing Meet was held on 14th December 2018 and provided a platform for cross learning from each other.

The keynote address was delivered by Ms Indira Mallo, Commissioner ICDS, Government of Maharashtra who spoke about the increasing importance of strengthening the nutrition schemes being provided to children under the ICDS.

Among the dignitaries present were Mr Ashok Bhargava, Commissioner ICDS, Govt of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Manoj Kumar, State Consultant, Poshan Abhiyaan, ICDS, Bihar, Dr Rajesh Patil, Assistant Director, Women and Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Ms Suprabha Agarwal, Director, State Nutrition Mission, Government of Maharashtra.

The guests included members from Development Sector, Academia, Hospitals, Civil society and Development officers from the field.

The opening remarks by Mr. Ashwini Kakkar, Chairman, Action Against Hunger, was followed by a brief on our programs by Ms Meeta Mathur, Head of Department, Health and Nutrition. The guests from MP and Bihar shared with us the significant innovations and measures being taken by them to tackle malnutrition in their respective States.

Thereafter followed a panel discussion on “Inter departmental convergence under Nutrition Mission” moderated by Smt. Suprabha Agarwal, Director, State Nutrition Mission, Govt of Maharashtra. The panellists included members from CDPO who shared ample examples of on-ground realities and insights from the field.

The objective of the consultation meeting was met, as the audience and the speakers shared their experiences, challenges and learnings in implementing this Jan Andolan across the three States.