A New Chapter in Children’s Nutrition, Protection and Holistic Development

Children’s nutrition, protection and holistic development: a new chapter Empowered childhood, prosperous Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh ranks first at national level in nutrition fortnight • Dr. Daneshwari Sambhakar (Deputy Director) Raipur, The real progress of any state is measured by the health, education and safety of its children. Chhattisgarh, based on this thinking, has included the all‑round development of children among the highest priorities of governance. Under the visionary policies of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and the active leadership of Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade, the state has achieved remarkable achievements in child nutrition, protection and future building. Effective implementation of ICDS, Mission Vatsalya, nutrition campaigns and the Child Marriage Free Chhattisgarh campaign has given the state a new identity in child development. Anganwadi centres becoming modern child development hubs The state is rapidly working to make 11,490 Anganwadi centres capable and attractive. Modern facilities such as Building as Learning Aid (BaLA), painting, nutrition gardens, play and learning‑based activities are being developed so that children can grow in a joyful environment while learning. Through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) convergence, approval has been given for construction of 2,337 new Anganwadi buildings. Under the PM Janman scheme, 191 new Anganwadi centres have been operated. Under Niyad Nella Nar 2.0, services are reaching children through 12,964 Anganwadi centres in 10 districts. Significant progress has also been made in human‑resource strengthening. The number of Anganwadi workers has increased from 51,045 to 52,258 and the number of helpers from 44,826 to 51,548, improving both reach and quality of services. Effective strike against malnutrition Chhattisgarh has achieved notable success in reducing child malnutrition. According to the Nutrition Tracker app, among children aged 0‑5 years, stunting fell by 7.82%, wasting by 4.36% and underweight by 2.76%. In December 2023, the wasting rate was 30.27%; by June 2026 it had dropped to 22.45%. This achievement is the result of nutrition management, regular monitoring, community participation and effective Anganwadi‑based services. Outstanding performance at national level in nutrition campaign During the National Nutrition Month and Nutrition Fortnight, Chhattisgarh performed excellently across the country. In FY 2024‑25, the state ranked first in per‑Anganwadi activities. In the April 2025 nutrition fortnight, Chhattisgarh also secured the first position nationally. During September‑October 2025 nutrition month, 71,887 activities were organized and in the April 2026 nutrition fortnight, 3,493,474 activities were conducted. At the local level, important steps have also begun to set up Ready‑to‑Eat units to provide nutritious meals. Mission Vatsalya provides safety and support to children Mission Vatsalya has emerged as an effective protective shield for orphans, abandoned and specially protected children. The number of child care institutions in the state has risen to 109. Through the Chief Minister’s Bal Uday Scheme, hundreds of children have benefited from education, care and rehabilitation. On the child helpline, 165,979 calls were received and swift action resolved thousands of cases. The impact of expanding child protection services is also evident in adoption and sponsorship schemes. Children adopted increased from 42 to 234 and those under sponsorship grew from 767 to 2,037. This growth reflects the state government’s sensitive commitment to providing children a family environment and a better future. Strong steps towards a child‑marriage‑free Chhattisgarh The child‑marriage‑free Chhattisgarh campaign launched by the state government has given new direction to social awareness and administrative activism. The number of child‑marriage resistance officers has risen to 1,382. Consequently, prevented child marriages increased from 109 to 888. This change is not only an administrative achievement but also a significant social shift towards education, health and a respectable future for daughters. A strong foundation for the future Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Lakshmi Rajwade, these efforts are steering millions of children in Chhattisgarh towards a healthy, safe, educated and empowered future. Modern Anganwadi system, nutrition improvement, expansion of child protection services and eradication of child marriage have established Chhattisgarh as an inspirational and exemplary state in child development. Empowered childhood is the strongest foundation of a developing Chhattisgarh, and the state government continues to strengthen that foundation.