Chandigarh, October 10, 2025:As part of the ongoing Poshan Maah celebrations, various awareness activities were organized under the guidance of the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Chandigarh Administration.

In Manimajra Town, a special lecture was conducted by a Doctor and ANM focusing on hygiene practices and age-appropriate feeding for children and mothers. The session also included a drive for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) to encourage eligible women to avail the benefits of the scheme and promote maternal health and nutrition.

Simultaneously, under the Poshan Maah Awareness Campaign, an informative session on healthy and unhealthy foods was organized for Anganwadi children at Kajheri Circle. The session was held in collaboration with Dr. Meena, who sensitized the children and Anganwadi staff about good eating habits and the importance of balanced nutrition for overall growth and development.

In addition to the major activities, several minor yet impactful initiatives were carried out as part of the six-month drive. These included the promotion of early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and the inclusion of nutritious millets in the diets of pregnant women. Growth monitoring of children under five continued across all AWCs, along with efforts to strengthen pre-school education for children aged 3 to 6 years. Home visits were conducted to promote institutional deliveries, and pregnant women received guidance on antenatal care, including the importance of routine check-ups, supplements, and prevention of anemia.

Furthermore, community lectures were organized on oral hygiene for children, food fortification, and the role of micronutrients in child development. Frontline workers also focused on the identification and management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children, ensuring timely referrals and nutritional rehabilitation. Families were trained through home visits on how to prepare nutritious complementary foods using ingredients easily available at home.

The completion of these six months of community outreach reflects the Department’s continued commitment to improving the health and nutrition status of mothers and children. These integrated efforts aim to build awareness, promote behavior change, and ensure that every child in Chandigarh has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive.