AMN / NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that there is a need to work towards concrete objectives to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, low birth weight and anaemia.
Reviewing the progress and efforts being made to prevent and reduce under-nutrition and related problems in India, Mr Modi said, visible and measurable results should be seen by 2022, the 75th anniversary of independence. The high-level review meeting held yesterday in New Delhi was attended by officials from PMO, NITI Aayog and other Ministries.
Mr Modi called for convergence among all schemes of Union and State Governments, which directly or indirectly have an impact on nutrition outcomes. He said, raising social awareness towards the importance of nutrition is necessary to achieve the desired results.
He stressed on the importance of using informal channels to generate this awareness.
The current status of malnutrition, stunting and related problems was reviewed in the meeting. Successful nutrition initiatives in some other developing countries came up for discussion. Real-time monitoring towards progress of nutrition outcomes especially in the worst performing districts was discussed.
Senior officials emphasized that initiatives of the Union Government such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Mission Indradhanush, Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana are having a positive impact on nutrition.