Union Minister launches 7th Poshan Pakhwada during Arunachal visit

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi arrived at Donyi Polo Airport for a two-day visit to Arunachal Pradesh, where she was welcomed by state WCD Minister Dasanglu Pul and other officials.

 

The visit coincides with the launch of the 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada, a nationwide nutrition campaign running from April 8-22, 2025. Speaking exclusively to India Today NE, Minister Devi highlighted the government's intensified efforts to combat malnutrition across the country.

 

This year's campaign focuses on four key areas: maternal and infant nutrition during the crucial first 1,000 days of life, promotion of the AI-enabled Poshan Tracker app, community-based management of malnutrition, and encouraging healthy lifestyles to address childhood obesity.

 

While Minister Devi reviews nutrition initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh, Minister of State Savitri Thakur is inaugurating the campaign through a webcast addressing Anganwadi workers, state WCD officials, and representatives from 18 partner ministries. The campaign will be implemented through village camps, home visits, and educational programs at the community level.

 

The Poshan Abhiyaan, launched in 2018, has become a flagship mission to improve nutritional outcomes for women and children nationwide. The 2025 campaign places special emphasis on the first 1,000 days from conception to a child's second birthday, recognised as critical for brain and body development. Educational efforts will prioritize proper breastfeeding practices, balanced diets, and early childhood stimulation, with a particular focus on tribal and remote areas.

 

Technology integration has strengthened the program's implementation. The Poshan Tracker, launched in 2021, now covers all Anganwadi centers in India, enabling real-time monitoring of beneficiaries, meal distribution, and health metrics. Families can self-register through the web application to track their nutritional progress. Additionally, the Community-Based Management of Malnutrition protocol introduced in October 2023 empowers Anganwadi workers to identify and treat acutely malnourished children at the grassroots level.

 

The government is also expanding childcare support through the Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti's Samarthya sub-scheme. Palna provides quality crèche services for children aged six months to six years, helping working mothers balance employment and childcare responsibilities. The scheme offers daycare, early stimulation, preschool education, nutritional meals, growth monitoring, and immunization support.

 

Formerly known as the National Crèche Scheme, Palna was restructured in 2022 as a centrally sponsored programme with costs shared between the Centre and States/UTs. The amended Maternity Benefit Act now mandates crèche facilities in establishments with 50 or more employees.

 

Two types of crèches operate under Palna: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs). As of March 2025, authorities have approved 11,395 AWCCs across 34 States and UTs, with 1,761 currently operational serving 28,783 children. An additional 1,284 Standalone Crèches are functioning with 23,368 beneficiaries. The government plans to establish 17,000 new AWCCs in 2024-25.

 

Each crèche accommodates up to 25 children and is strategically located near children's homes or mothers' workplaces to ensure easy access and continued breastfeeding support.