Hyderabad: Rajya Sabha BJP MP Dr. K. Laxman called for wider public participation in the fight against malnutrition on Tuesday. He said the healthy child healthy India approach should remain central to building a healthier nation.
Laxman made the remarks after inaugurating a five-day Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme on POSHAN MAAH-2026 at AV College Grounds, Gagan Mahal. The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, organised the programme.
POSHAN MAAH is observed nationwide every September as an annual nutrition awareness month. This year’s programme will run from September 1 to 5.
Laxman described the nutrition exhibition as informative and thought-provoking. He also urged students and young people to volunteer for nutrition awareness campaigns.
According to him, volunteers should take messages on balanced nutrition to families and disadvantaged communities. He stressed the need to address anaemia, underweight, overweight, obesity and growth-related problems.
The MP also highlighted the scale of government nutrition programmes. He referred to digital monitoring covering nearly 14 lakh Anganwadi centres and around nine crore children.
Healthy child healthy India campaign focuses on nutrition and fitness
Laxman said hot cooked meals reached nearly 12 crore children through more than 11 lakh schools. He also cited a decline in the proportion of children facing growth-related setbacks in Telangana.
The figure, he said, had fallen from 33 per cent to 27 per cent. He attributed the improvement to government support and the work of Anganwadi and frontline workers.
Furthermore, Laxman encouraged greater consumption of millets and traditional foods. He asked students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship linked to nutrition.
He also urged young people to become job creators rather than remain focused only on seeking employment. In this context, he pointed to opportunities in India’s startup ecosystem.
Nutrition, he said, must also go together with physical fitness. Therefore, he urged youngsters to take up sports, yoga and regular physical activity.
Shruti Patil, ADG, PIB/CBC, said nutrition had a close link with health, productivity, learning and quality of life.
She highlighted CBC’s efforts to take credible nutrition messages to grassroots communities. These efforts include exhibitions and traditional art forms such as Oggukatha and Yakshaganam.
The programme features around 40 nutrition panels, expert talks, IEC stalls and demonstrations. In addition, visitors can attend folk-art performances, including Oggukatha, Street Play/Kolatam and Yakshagana.
The five-day healthy child healthy India outreach programme will continue at AV College Grounds through September 5.