Health and Nutrition / Odisha CM Calls for Greater Family Involvement in Child Nutrition, Welfare

Bhubaneswar, Sep 29: Emphasising that child nutrition is a shared family responsibility, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday urged fathers and other family members to play a more active role in ensuring the healthy growth and development of children.

Addressing the state-level celebration of Angan Ka Utsav and the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) at an Anganwadi centre in Barmunda, CM Majhi highlighted the government's efforts to improve the nutritional status of women and children through Anganwadi centres and educational institutions.

The Chief Minister also said the State government remains committed to building a well-nourished Odisha through sustained awareness and nutrition-focused interventions.

Family Responsibility

CM Majhi said nutrition initiatives would be more effective when the entire family, including men, actively participates in childcare and dietary practices.

“Through awareness and successful implementation of various programmes, we will certainly establish Odisha as a well-nourished state. The government is committed to a well-nourished Odisha,” he said.

CM Majhi noted that over 46 lakh activities had been conducted across the State during Poshan Maah. He also stated that Odisha secured the top position in the country in Aadhaar verification during the campaign.

Focus on First 1,000 Days

Highlighting the critical importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life, the Chief Minister stressed that fathers should share responsibility with mothers in ensuring proper nutrition, healthcare and overall development of children.

He called upon citizens to contribute towards creating a healthy, prosperous and developed Odisha.

Frontline Workers Praised

CM Majhi credited Anganwadi workers, helpers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers for their role in improving child immunisation coverage, promoting institutional deliveries and reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.

He said Odisha, which once struggled with high infant and maternal mortality rates, had made significant progress through coordinated healthcare interventions.

Women-Centric Welfare Measures 

The Chief Minister also highlighted key women-centric schemes, including Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana, noting that around 40% of the State budget is dedicated to women-oriented programmes.
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Honouring Grassroots Champions

During the event, CM Majhi distributed school kits to Anganwadi children, felicitated fathers participating in healthy-food presentations and honoured Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers. He also inspected the Tiranga Thali and hot-cooked meals served at the centre and personally served food to children.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and senior officials attended the programme.