Noting that Nation and Nutrition are very closely inter-related, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that September will be observed as Nutrition Month in the country.
“For our children and our students to display their optimum potential, show their mettle; Nutrition and proper nourishment as well play a very big role,” he said this while addressing the nation during his 68th edition of Mann ki Baat.
“We have a maxim – Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam, which means our mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake. Experts are of the opinion that the better nutrition a child imbibes in the womb and during childhood, greater is the mental development and he/she remains healthy. It is equally important that for children to be well nourished, the mother also receives proper nourishment,” he said.
Modi said that the country had lot of diversity in food and drink, six different seasons, diverse crops according to the respective climate. It was important that a well-balanced and nutrient rich, diet plan was drafted to include local food grains, fruits and the vegetables cultivated there, he added.
The Prime Minister also said that an Agricultural Fund of India was being created, which will complete information about the crops that are grown in each district and their related nutritional value.
Modi said that people’s participation was also very crucial in developing a Nutrition healthy society. “In our country during the past few years, a lot of effort has been made in this direction. Especially in our villages, it is being converted into a mass movement with public participation. Whether it is the nutrition week or the nutrition month, more and more awareness is being generated through these measures. Schools have been integrated. Efforts are being made to ensure competitions for children, attempts are being made to increase awareness too. Just like there is a Class Monitor in the section, there should be a Nutrition Monitor in a similar manner and just like a report card, a Nutrition Card should also be introduced. These are some of the measures that are being initiated,” he said.
