Nagaland to launch month-long nationwide celebration of Poshan Maah 2025 from September 17.
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DIMAPUR — The Department of Social Welfare, through the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) under Poshan Abhiyaan, has notified that a month-long nationwide celebration of Poshan Maah 2025 will be launched from September 17 to October 16.
Since its inception in 2018, Poshan Maah has grown into one of the largest people’s movements on nutrition in India, with millions of activities conducted annually across every state and district, a DIPR report stated.
It has become a cornerstone of the Government of India’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), engaging Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, schools, local bodies, frontline departments, NGOs, and communities.
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Over the years, the celebration has significantly raised awareness on nutrition, health, hygiene, and the importance of community-led action in building a malnutrition-free India.
This year, five key themes have been identified nationwide, which Nagaland is also observing through community-based activities, workshops, rallies and awareness drives.
Focus Areas of Poshan Maah 2025
Addressing obesity: Reducing excess sugar and oil consumption, promoting balanced diets, and growth monitoring of children.
Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE): Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi – strengthening pre-school education through storytelling, play-based learning, and parental engagement.
Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam: A green initiative encouraging tree plantation, nutrition gardens (Poshan Vatikas), and eco-friendly practices.
Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF): Promoting exclusive breastfeeding, complementary feeding, hygiene, and anaemia prevention.
Men-Streaming: Actively engaging men as caregivers and nutrition champions to support family health and well-being.
One of the unique strengths of Poshan Maah is the multi-departmental convergence approach. In Nagaland, the celebration is being carried out jointly by the Departments of Social Welfare, Health & Family Welfare, School Education, NSRLM-Rural Development, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, and AYUSH, along with the active involvement of local bodies, community organizations, and village councils.
Convergence in Action
• Health services (growth monitoring, anaemia screening, IYCF counselling) are combined with education initiatives (ECCE workshops, school rallies).
• Agriculture and horticulture departments promote PoshanVatikas and kitchen gardens to strengthen food security.
• Environment and Forest departments support plantation drives under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.
• Community participation is fostered through the involvement of traditional leaders, SHGs, schools, and youth groups.
This integrated effort reflects the spirit of Jan Andolan (People’s Movement), making nutrition everyone’s responsibility.
Nagaland’s statewide campaign
In Nagaland, the campaign is being implemented across all districts with activities such as launching ceremonies with Poshan pledges and community engagement; growth monitoring of ICDS beneficiaries; ECCE workshops and community-based events showcasing indigenous toys and folktales; tree plantation drives, Poshan rallies, and setting up of kitchen gardens; anaemia camps, IYCF counselling sessions, and food demonstrations using local ingredients; men-focused workshops and Suposhan Diwas to involve fathers and youth in child nutrition; and closing ceremonies recognising the best-performing functionaries.
Preparing for the launch of Poshan Maah 2025, Joint Secretary & Project Director of Poshan Abhiyaan, Nagaland, Olemjungla Aier, stated, “Poshan Maah has become a nationwide Jan Andolan that unites government departments, communities, and families in the fight against malnutrition. In Nagaland, we are committed to blending traditional food practices and community strengths with this national effort to ensure healthier mothers, stronger children, and a nourished future for all.”
The Department of Social Welfare has called upon every citizen of Nagaland to actively participate in Poshan Maah 2025, reinforcing the vision of a Suposhit Bharat – Nourished India.