The State government is committed to ensuring the physical and mental growth of children alongside the development of anganwadis, Minister for Woman and Child Development Bindu Krishna has said. She was inaugurating the district-level launch of the ‘Balyaspandanam’ project, part of the government’s 100-day action plan, and the State-level launch of national nutrition month ‘Poshan Maah’ at the Jayan Memorial Hall in Kollam.

First 1000 days

The ‘Balyaspandanam’ project, organised as a quarterly health check-up for anganwadi children in collaboration with the Health department, aims to detect health issues like malnutrition and anaemia at an early stage to ensure timely and effective treatment. Under the slogan ‘Our Anganwadi, Our Responsibility,’ this year’s Poshan Maah highlights the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, which are critical for physical and mental development.

The initiative seeks community participation to tackle challenges such as anemia and low birth weight during this vital period. Key objectives include enhancing diets by ensuring access to leafy vegetables, fresh produce, eggs, milk, and millets; providing clean and nutritious warm meals at anganwadis; actively involving local communities in anganwadi activities; and delivering comprehensive care to pregnant women and lactating mothers through the Matru Vandana Yojana.

“Measures are being accelerated to upgrade basic infrastructure across all 33,120 anganwadis in the State. Anganwadi workers care for young children with the dedication of mothers and the government is committed to ensure their welfare,” said the Minister. She added that all pending pension dues for workers were fully disbursed ahead of Onam, and wages along with other benefits will continue to be delivered in a timely manner. The event was presided over by district panchayat president R. Latha Devi.