Itanagar, September 14, 2026: The 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 is gaining momentum across Arunachal Pradesh, with communities, Anganwadi workers and multiple departments coming together to promote better nutrition, maternal health and healthy childhood development.

Launched nationally on 9 September, this year’s month-long campaign is being observed from 9 September to 8 October under the theme “Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari”, calling for greater community ownership of Anganwadi Centres. The campaign focuses on dietary diversity, adequate protein intake, fresh hot-cooked meals, early childhood stimulation and maternal nutrition.

In Tirap district, the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was launched at Soha under the Namsang ICDS Project. The programme brought together the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission, Health Department, Panchayati Raj Institutions and Education Department. Discussions highlighted balanced nutrition, protein-rich diets and the use of locally available fruits and vegetables as affordable sources of nourishment.

The campaign has also reached East Kameng, where the Department of Women & Child Development and ICDS Project, Seppa, in collaboration with ArSRLM, observed Poshan Maah at Nere village in Debeyar Circle.

In Lower Subansiri, the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was launched at Lempia village, bringing together community leaders, health workers and local residents. Sessions covered protein-rich local foods, early childhood stimulation, fresh hot-cooked meals at Anganwadi Centres and maternal health support. Nutrition kits were also distributed to families by Anganwadi workers.

The grassroots approach is particularly relevant for Arunachal, where locally available produce can play an important role in improving dietary diversity while supporting traditional food practices. At the Soha programme, officials specifically encouraged families to make greater use of locally available vegetables and fruits for nutritious and affordable meals.

Another important component is the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). Officials at the Tirap programme encouraged eligible mothers to enrol under the scheme and highlighted the financial assistance available under its provisions.

As Poshan Maah continues across the state, its message goes beyond nutrition awareness. It seeks to make Anganwadi Centres stronger community institutions, while encouraging families, frontline workers and departments to share responsibility for the health and development of children and mothers.

From the food on a child's plate to the care provided at an Anganwadi Centre, Poshan Maah is bringing nutrition closer to every community - one village at a time.