New Delhi: Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched a campaign named “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” in the national capital, under which work will be undertaken in Anganwadis across the country for providing nutrition as well as better education to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years.
There are around 13 lakh 90 thousand Anganwadis across the country, in which work is being done to provide better nutrition to the students as well as for better education. Under the National Education Policy 2020, Anganwadi workers are being trained by NIPSID regarding the mental development of children between the ages of 3 and 6 years, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday (May 11) said while briefing the media about the campaign. Children have better mental development at the age of 3 to 6 years, so it is necessary that they get quality education, for this training is being given to Anganwadi workers.
She further remarked,
Not only this but activities are also being conducted in Anganwadis in rural areas. More than 51 lakh activities have been conducted by the Ministry in Gram Panchayats, along with this emphasis on early childhood education for children coming to Anganwadis through toys made in India is being given.
Also Read: POSHAN 2.0: How Can India Attain Zero Malnutrition Target?
The Union Minister informed that the Prime Minister has a ‘National Action Plan’ regarding Indian toys, on which work is being done.
The Union Minister said,
For the improvement of education in Anganwadis and better future of the children, the qualification of the workers has been changed to class 12 pass. The Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Central Government is working closely with all the different ministries, including Textile Commerce. All Anganwadis across the country are being converted into full-fledged Anganwadis instead of mini Anganwadis, besides it is being ensured that Anganwadis have better infrastructure, water facilities and toilet facilities. India used to import 80 per cent of toys from other countries, but now these toys are being made in our own country. Apart from this, work is also being done on digitalisation in Anganwadis, along with nutrition and education of children. We are moving towards digitization for different works, she added.
Also Read: Health And Nutrition: Are Millets Good For You?
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
