The Genesis: POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018)
Initially launched in 2018, the Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment (POSHAN) Abhiyaan was India's national mission to improve nutritional outcomes across the country. It was a multi-ministerial effort designed to address malnutrition through a combination of resources and interventions from various government departments. The mission set time-bound targets to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight. Key features included the use of technology for monitoring and an emphasis on community-level behavioural change.
Evolution to Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0
In 2021, the government restructured and integrated programs like the original POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under 'Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0'. This evolution aimed to strengthen nutrition content and delivery, creating a convergent ecosystem for health, wellness, and immunity. The mission focuses on children under 6, adolescent girls (14-18 in specific areas), and pregnant and lactating women. The restructuring sought to improve operational efficiency and address prior limitations.
Key Components and Composition of Poshan
The composition of Poshan is a comprehensive framework with several interconnected components:
- Nutrition Support (SNP): Provides supplementary nutrition, such as Take-Home Ration (THR) or Hot Cooked Meals (HCM), for beneficiaries including children (6 months-6 years), and pregnant and lactating mothers. It emphasizes fortified foods and millets.
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE): Includes pre-school education for children aged 3-6 at modernized Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) and early stimulation for infants.
- Anganwadi Infrastructure: Focuses on upgrading AWCs into 'Saksham Anganwadis' with modern facilities and growth monitoring equipment.
- Poshan Abhiyaan (Pillar): Operates within Mission Poshan 2.0, concentrating on maternal/infant feeding, SAM/MAM treatment, and wellness via AYUSH practices.
The Technological Backbone: Poshan Tracker
The 'Poshan Tracker' mobile app, launched in March 2021, is a core technological element providing a real-time view of Anganwadi activities, service delivery, and beneficiary management. It is used to:
- Track individual growth and service delivery.
- Identify children with growth issues.
- Provide data for monitoring and evaluation.
- Send alerts for activities like home visits.
- Automate documentation for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs).
Community Mobilization: A People's Movement
The 'Jan Andolan' or people's movement is vital for community participation and ownership of nutrition practices. Activities include:
- Poshan Maah: Annual nutrition awareness month in September.
- Poshan Pakhwada: Bi-monthly nutrition awareness event.
- Community-Based Events (CBEs): Regular AWC events on topics like complementary feeding.
- 'Poshan Vatika' or Nutri-gardens: Promoting local gardens for fresh vegetables.
Comparison: Poshan Abhiyaan (Original) vs. Mission Poshan 2.0
| Feature | POSHAN Abhiyaan (Original) | Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Core Structure | Standalone multi-ministerial mission. | Integrated umbrella program merging previous schemes. |
| Beneficiaries | Children (0-6), pregnant women, lactating mothers. | Children (0-6), pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls (14-18) in specific areas. |
| Key Focus | Targets for reducing stunting, undernutrition, anemia, low birth weight. | Strengthened nutrition content, diversity (millets), wellness (AYUSH), upgraded infrastructure. |
| Technology | Used ICDS-CAS for real-time monitoring. | Uses the enhanced 'Poshan Tracker' app. |
| Community Engagement | Conducted Jan Andolan activities. | Intensified Jan Andolan, promoting community initiatives and awareness (e.g., Poshan Maah). |
Conclusion: A Holistic and Convergent Framework
The composition of Poshan has evolved into an integrated framework under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. It is a comprehensive strategy with interconnected components: enhanced nutrition support, upgraded Anganwadi infrastructure, the Poshan Tracker technology platform, and community mobilization. This layered composition, leveraging technology and grassroots engagement, provides a blueprint for addressing malnutrition in India. For more details, refer to the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
