DC Dharam Raj, IAS, District Programme Officer R Imtinukshi and others during the programme held in Zunheboto on September 14. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | September 14
The District Convergence Meeting-cum-Poshan Maah 2026 inauguration was held here on Monday, marking the formal launch of Poshan Maah activities in the district with participation from various departments and stakeholders.
District Coordinator, Poshan Abhiyaan, Zunheboto, Mughalu Awomi, chaired the programme, while District Programme Officer (DPO) R Imtinukshi spoke on the significance of Poshan Maah 2026. Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj, IAS, delivered the special address.
Imtinukshi said nutrition should not be viewed merely as a government programme but as a shared community responsibility.
He highlighted dietary diversity, fresh hot-cooked meals at Anganwadi centres and early childhood care as key priorities.
He encouraged the use of locally available indigenous foods and stressed the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life for brain development and overall well-being.
Imtinukshi also called upon the convergent departments to sensitise civil society organisations across the district and encourage them to contribute towards Poshan Abhiyaan according to their capacity.
Dharam Raj emphasised that healthy mothers and children are essential for building a healthy society and stressed the need to ensure access to nutritious food irrespective of income, background or social status.
He said efforts to address malnutrition must continue beyond the month-long campaign and called for sustained action throughout the year. He also stressed the need to reduce child and maternal mortality through improved nutrition and healthcare.
The DC highlighted the importance of convergence among departments, including Social Welfare, Education, Health and Family Welfare, Agriculture, Forest and Climate Change, and AYUSH.
He also underlined the role of kitchen gardens and locally available nutritious and medicinal plants in promoting healthy diets.
Raj further emphasised the role of Anganwadi Management Committees, village councils, Gaon Burahs, Self Help Groups and Mothers' Associations in implementing nutrition-related programmes at the grassroots level.
Among the activities highlighted for Poshan Maah are intensified home visits, regular growth monitoring of children, nutrition tracking and promotion of locally available nutritious foods. Community participation and the Poshan pledge are also part of the campaign.
The DC stressed that access to nutritious food should be treated as a basic right and urged all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that no child or mother is left behind in matters of health and nutrition.
