MALNUTRITION PROBLEM AND NEED FOR HOLISTIC SOLUTION
Recognizing the magnitude of the malnutrition problem, and the kind of multi-level interventions required to provide a sustainable and holistic solution, Government of India tagged September 2019 as “PoshanMaah”, which translates to “Nutrition Month”. This welcome move underlines the concern that it is time malnutrition is confronted on a war footing by implementing a multi-pronged approach for its redressal. The target population of this initiative are children up to 6 years of age, adolescent girls and lactating mothers, with the initiative covering all states and UTs in a phased manner. There are specific targets for the reduction of low birth weight babies, stunted growth, incidences of Severe Acute Malnourishment (SAM) and anaemia. Information and Communication campaigns aimed at nutrition awareness at grassroots level forms an integral part of the programme, conducted with inclusive participation of stakeholders at various levels. The magnanimity of the malnutrition