Gandhinagar, Gujarat – Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the oath of office as Gujarat’s Chief Minister on October 7, 2001. He turns 24 years in public service this year, and state officials are celebrating his journey with Vikas Saptah from October 7 to 15. On October 9, the state will spotlight Nutrition Day.
Across the last 24 years, Gujarat’s leaders have pushed hard to raise nutrition levels. Since Modi’s time as Chief Minister, the state launched major programs to give pregnant and breastfeeding mothers the food they need, and to fortify the diets of young children. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel now continues that legacy, saying it reflects Modi’s mantra of “Sahi Poshan, Desh Roshan” (Right Nutrition, Strong Nation).
Big wins in child health
The state’s nutrition work has cut two of the country’s biggest childhood problems:
| Issue | 2019 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Underweight children | 39.7 % | 17.2 % |
| Stunted children | 39 % | 30.9 % |
| Physically weak children | 25 % | 6.7 % |
More than 45 lakh women across Gujarat now get benefits from these schemes, showing the government’s reach and focus.
Main programs
Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana
This scheme sends monthly nutrition kits to more than 53,000 Anganwadi centres. Each kit contains 1 L of groundnut oil, 1 kg of toor dal, and 2 kg of chickpeas. The target is to help about 5 lakh women and their children get balanced nutrition from conception until the child turns two.
Take‑Home Ration Program
Running since 2017, dairy cooperatives and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation supply rations to all Anganwadi centres.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers: four 1‑kg packs each month.
- Children 6 months‑to‑3 years: seven Bal Shakti Ahar packs.
- Severely malnourished kids: ten packs.
Daily hot meals also feed children 3‑6 years old at Anganwadi sites. The program has served 16.5 lakh mothers and children directly, with more than 11.6 lakh kids receiving hot meals, totaling over 28 lakh beneficiaries.
Poshan Sudha Yojana
Started in 10 districts in 2017‑18, it now covers 106 talukas in 14 tribal districts. The programme hands out special meals, iron‑folic acid supplements, calcium tablets, and health counselling to around 120,000 women each month.
Doodh Sanjeevani Yojana
Fortified milk improves nutrition for the next generation. Children aged 6 months‑6 years receive 100 mL of fortified milk five days a week, while pregnant and lactating mothers get 200 mL twice a week. Nearly 9.3 lakh people have benefited so far.
PURNA Scheme
Targeting adolescent girls 15‑18 years old, the programme supplies four 1‑kg food packets monthly and weekly iron‑folic acid tablets. About 10 lakh girls participate, helping curb anaemia and strengthening future generations.
What this means
These initiatives are reshaping Gujarat’s health landscape. Lower rates of underweight, stunting, and physical weakness show that targeted nutrition can deliver real change. The state’s comprehensive approach—from the womb to adolescence—aims to cut malnutrition and anaemia across the board.
By keeping the focus on mothers, children, and teens, Gujarat sets a clear example of how nutrition, when backed by strong policy and community outreach, can lift an entire population. The progress made over the last decade underscores that the state’s hard‑working programs are paying off—and the results are proof that good nutrition drives a stronger, healthier nation.
Source: aninews
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