Bengal Anganwadi centres promote nutrition awareness through diet rangolis and cooking shows

In a bid to improve nutrition outcomes and raise awareness among the masses, Anganwadi Centres across West Bengal have embraced innovative methods as part of the nationwide Poshan Maah campaign. This year marks the seventh phase of the campaign, which focuses on critical themes such as anemia prevention, growth monitoring, and the promotion of effective services through governance and technology. The initiative is a key component of Mission Poshan 2.0, aiming to foster Social & Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) and community engagement.

At several Anganwadi Centres, women and children have been engaging in creative activities like preparing "Poshan Rangolis" — colorful, nutrient-rich displays made from cereals, pulses, vegetables, and proteins. These efforts are designed to inspire the community, especially young girls and children, to explore healthier food options. In addition to the Rangolis, cooking shows and demonstrations of low-cost, nutritious recipes have been organized to emphasize the importance of complementary feeding and encourage better dietary habits among adolescents.

Anganwadi workers are also taking the lead in promoting health and hygiene measures through handwashing demonstrations aimed at preventing diseases like diarrhea. These efforts are being carried out in the local communities served by the centres.

One noteworthy example of community mobilization comes from the Mayureswar Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in Birbhum district. The ICDS has spearheaded a mass participation event, or "Jan Andolan," to involve all stakeholders in the celebration of Poshan Maah. The festivities began with a plantation drive on July 31, 2024, at various Anganwadi Centres. Saplings of papaya, banana, and guava, provided by the Block Development Officer, are being planted in Poshan Vatikas (nutrition gardens) near the centres. The community has been encouraged to take collective responsibility for maintaining these gardens, ensuring a steady supply of fruit for ICDS beneficiaries.

Other activities include mothers' meetings, where expectant mothers, fathers-to-be, and primary caregivers are educated on the importance of maternal nutrition, health checkups, and hygiene. Growth monitoring sessions for children, supported by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) team, are also being conducted across all Anganwadi Centres.

In addition, a project-level workshop was held to train Anganwadi workers in community-based management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), and growth monitoring. A special event called "Supusti Divas" was also celebrated, coupled with "Annaprashan Divas," where messages on complementary feeding for children aged 6 to 9 months were disseminated, further spreading nutrition awareness to the wider community.
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