While Odisha is hailed as a State which is taking positive steps on the issue of under-nutrition, challenges still exist among poorer communities like Scheduled Tribes and the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGS).
There is 34.1per cent of the children under 5 years of age who are stunted in the State and more than 50 per cent women in the age of 15-49 years are anaemic.
Discussing the malnutrition issues in a panel discussion on "Role of leadership and community in fighting malnutrition together" followed by a photo exhibition at Bhubaneswar , various peoples' representatives , social activists and dignataries stressed upon urgent attention by the Government for 46 per cent ST children , where the stunting levels are much higher.
Inaugurating the photo exhibition along with Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik, MP Dhenkanal Mahes Sahu said the political leadership in the State is also coming together to highlight the issue of under-nutrition. “I have raised the need for more Anganwadi Centres in inaccessible areas with the district administration," said Sahu. He further added “I plan to do the same with the State administration as Anganwadi Centres are the nodal centres for provision of nutrition related schemes and all of us need to ensure that they function well.”
The programme was jointly organised by the IPE Global, Angul Pusti Adhikar Abhiyan (APAA), Society for Promoting Rural Education and Development (SPREAD) and mycitylinks .
Addressing the gathering, associate director at IPE Global Limited Neha Saigal told, "We believe that Odisha has the potential to be a model for other States in closing the gap on under-nutrition amongst the poorest and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) communities,”Aptly titled “Close the Gap: A Photo Essay on Angul’s Fight Against Under-nutrition”, the photo exhibition portrayed the experiences of communities in the Angul district through the lens of Delhi-based award-winning photographers Anindito Mukherjee and Ravi Choudhary. The photos narrated everyday struggles and hopeful stories of people in accessing nutrition services from Anganwadi Centres.
The message that, “Prevalence of under-nutrition is a sign of inequality in society and this gap will only increase if solutions are not focused on the people that are most marginalized,” was highlighted through the exhibition.
The deliberation recommended the State Government for improving the last mile delivery of the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) by activating the Jaanch and Matru monitoring committees at the village level. It recommended institutionalising community monitoring tools like social audits, mandated under the National Food Security Act. The Government should look at a functioning grievance redressal mechanism within the ICDS, budgetary provision for mini-AWCs in tribal hamlets that don’t have an AWC, undertaking an information campaign that encourages the intended beneficiaries to consume nutritious food provided under Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP).
Among others, the programme was addressed by advisor, Women and Child Development and Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha Sulata Deo, Member of Odisha State Food Commission, Government of Odisha Dr Sipra Mallick, Chairman, Odisha Film Development Corporation Kuna Tripathyand secretary, SPREAD Bidyut Mohanty.