Anantnag, October 8, 2025 – The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is actively commemorating the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah across Jammu and Kashmir, with vibrant awareness events in Qazigund and Anantnag aimed at boosting nutrition, hygiene, and overall health among women and children. This nationwide month-long campaign, running from September 12 to October 11 under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, seeks to combat malnutrition and foster a “Suposhit Bharat” through community mobilization and targeted interventions.
Awareness Drive Ignites Community Engagement
In Qazigund, ICDS organized a series of interactive sessions highlighting the importance of balanced diets, sanitation practices, and preventive healthcare. Beneficiaries, including expectant mothers, lactating women, and young children, participated enthusiastically in demonstrations on preparing nutrient-rich meals using locally available ingredients. The events emphasized themes like anemia prevention, growth monitoring, and complementary feeding, aligning with the campaign’s core objectives.A parallel awareness program in Anantnag drew large crowds to Anganwadi centers, where health experts and ICDS workers conducted workshops on personal hygiene, immunization, and the perils of junk food. These sessions not only educated participants but also distributed informational pamphlets and hygiene kits to reinforce the message of holistic well-being.
CDPO Firdousa Akhtar Highlights Inclusive Outreach
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Firdousa Akhtar, spearheading efforts in the region, commended the program’s reach. “Our outreach drives are penetrating even the most far-flung areas, ensuring no family is left behind in this vital mission for maternal and child health,” she stated. Akhtar highlighted how ICDS teams are collaborating with local Panchayati Raj Institutions and health workers to sustain momentum beyond the month.
Special PMMVY Drives Bolster Maternity Support
Complementing the celebrations, special enrollment camps under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) were held across both locations. This flagship scheme provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating women, promoting early breastfeeding and improved infant nutrition. Over 200 beneficiaries registered in Qazigund alone, with on-site verifications streamlining access to the Rs. 5,000 incentive package. Akhtar noted that these drives have accelerated PMMVY saturation, with a focus on adolescent mothers and rural pockets.
Broader Impact and Future Commitments
The 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah builds on previous editions’ successes, such as the 7th campaign’s emphasis on growth monitoring in nearby Kargil. In Anantnag, District Programme Officer (DPO) ICDS inaugurated related activities earlier this month, involving female achievers to inspire women-centric empowerment. Officials reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to POSHAN Abhiyaan goals, including technology-driven governance and “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” for early childhood development.These initiatives underscore Jammu and Kashmir’s proactive role in national nutrition efforts, with ICDS pledging continued monitoring to track outcomes like reduced stunting rates. Community leaders urged sustained participation, echoing the campaign’s call: “Every child deserves a nourished future.”
