The PRI members have stressed upon ‘malnutrition-free panchayats’ in Angul district.
While Angul performs better than the State average in nutrition indicators, under-nutrition is still a concern in the district. 31.8 per cent of children under-5 are stunted, 21.6 per cent children under-5 are wasted and 35.3 per cent children under-5 are under-weight. Angul has a lot of potential to be a champion in nutrition if it becomes a development priority for the district.
The PRI members from Angul district will hold meetings at their villages to spread awareness on the issue of under-nutrition and its impact on communities.
The PRI members ,coming together under the umbrella of the Angul Pusti Adhikar Abhiyan (APAA), will campaign to improve nutrition in Angul district from June 10 to 30, covering several villages in Angul. The meetings and campaigns will be participated by Panchayati Raj institution members, self-help groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, ANM workers and community members. The meetings will help people understand the benefits of eating a nutritious meal, the Government schemes to tackle under- nutrition, followed by a commitment to fight the problem together.
With the help of folk songs, dances and dialogue, leaders and frontline workers will enhance the communities’ knowledge on nutrition and its importance for the well-being of the future generations. The meetings and campaign will promote good nutrition behaviour and practices.
Jogeswar Sahu , Sarapanha of Patrapda gram panchayat of Chendipada block believes that a Kuposhan-mukt panchayat (malnutrition free panchayat) should be the mantra of all gram panchayats in Odisha.
“Nutrition is an invisible problem; we are leading this initiative in our panchayat as we want people to be aware that under-nutrition is a huge problem for our future generations. We also want them to be aware of the wonderful schemes the Government is implementing,” Sahu added.
The Indian Government’s main scheme on nutrition is the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services). Odisha as a State has intervened through many additional schemes and initiatives to improve malnutrition amongst women and children – The Mamata Scheme being a case in point.
Mamata Scheme is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating women, to ensure women get the proper care during this time.
Jemamani Naik of Gadasila gram panchayat, Kaniha block, is committed to the cause of inclusion of the vulnerable communities in the drive to improve nutrition.
“Nutrition is everyone’s right, we understand that if a child is well nourished, they can reach their full potential resulting in better economic development for our villages,” Naik said, while adding that the aim was to ensure proper nutrition even for the last person in every village so that the aim of ‘nutrition for all’ could be realised