Mission Saksham Anganwadi: The central and state governments are implementing various welfare schemes to economically empower women and make them self-reliant. These include ‘Mission Saksham Anganwadi’ and ‘Poshan 2.0’—key Government of India initiatives. The primary objective of these schemes is to improve the nutrition and health of children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls. Through these schemes, Anganwadi centres are being strengthened to serve as hubs for nutrition and early childhood education.
What are Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0?
It is worth noting that Anganwadi services were previously known as the ‘Integrated Child Development Services’ (ICDS). They have now been subsumed under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. This mission includes key components such as nutritional support, early childhood care and education, strengthening Anganwadi centres, and the Poshan Abhiyaan (Nutrition Mission). The government aims to ensure the effective delivery of nutrition and health-related services to women and children through Anganwadi centres.
Who can avail the benefits?
The scheme covers specific categories of beneficiaries: children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years (with specific components targeting districts and North-Eastern states). To avail the benefits, beneficiaries must register at an Anganwadi centre and complete the necessary formalities under local regulations.
What facilities are available at Anganwadi centres?
Under this mission, Anganwadi services primarily comprise six types of provisions: supplementary nutrition, early childhood education for young children, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-ups, and referral services when required.
Reducing malnutrition is a major goal
A primary objective of this government mission is to improve the nutritional status of children and women. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying and reducing nutrition-related issues among children, such as underweight, stunting, and wasting. Regularly monitoring children’s growth helps determine whether their physical development is progressing in the right direction.
Emphasis on Preventing Anaemia
Reducing anaemia—or blood deficiency—among women and children is a crucial component of nutrition-related activities. Under the *Poshan Abhiyaan* (Nutrition Mission), people are educated on topics such as anaemia prevention, nutritious food, breastfeeding, hygiene, and child care.
Upgrading Anganwadi Centres
The term ‘Saksham Anganwadi’ (Empowered Anganwadi) has been incorporated into the scheme’s name, signifying an effort to strengthen these centres with better facilities. The government plans to upgrade a large number of Anganwadi centres in phases. Planned improvements include better infrastructure, smart learning tools, audio-visual facilities, RO water purifiers, and *Poshan Vatikas* (nutrition gardens).
What is a Poshan Vatika
A *Poshan Vatika* is a small nutrition garden or kitchen garden established in the vicinity of an Anganwadi centre. Efforts focus on growing locally available fruits, vegetables, and other useful plants there. The primary objective is to help incorporate a variety of nutritious foods into the diets of children and women.
What is the ‘Poshan Tracker’?
The government has developed a digital system called the ‘Poshan Tracker’ to monitor the scheme. It tracks Anganwadi services and nutrition-related activities. The Poshan Tracker leverages technology to identify issues like stunted growth and underweight conditions in children and to monitor the delivery of nutrition services at the grassroots level. It is available in multiple languages, including Hindi.
Beneficial for Adolescent Girls Too
This mission also includes provisions for nutritional support for adolescent girls aged 14 to 18. This component is implemented specifically in ‘Aspirational Districts’ and the North-Eastern regions. In addition to nutritional support, it encompasses health check-ups, referral services, nutrition and health education, and certain non-nutritional activities.
What is the biggest benefit of the scheme?
The primary benefit of this government scheme is that it provides essential services—such as nutrition, healthcare, and early childhood education—through Anganwadi centres. This enables regular monitoring of young children, provides nutritional support to pregnant women and mothers, and shares health and nutrition information with families.
How to avail the benefits?
If you are an eligible beneficiary, you can contact your nearest Anganwadi centre. You can obtain information there regarding registration, available services, and the specific documents required locally. In accordance with Central Government guidelines, benefits are extended to eligible beneficiaries through a prescribed process.
Conclusion
The primary objective of ‘Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0’ is to improve the nutritional and health status of children and women. Under this initiative, services such as supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, health and nutrition awareness, immunisation, health check-ups, and referral services are provided. Additionally, the scheme emphasises modernising Anganwadi centres and monitoring service delivery through digital technology. Thus, the scheme plays a pivotal role in fostering children’s holistic development and strengthening women’s health and nutritional well-being.