Nagaland observes 8th POSHAN Pakhwada

The State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), POSHAN Abhiyaan, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Nagaland, has announced that the 8th POSHAN Pakhwada will be observed across the state from April 9 to 23, 2026, in alignment with the nationwide initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. This year’s campaign focuses on the theme ‘Maximizing Brain Development in the First Six Years of Life.’
A press release by Department of Social Welfare, Government of Nagaland, State Programme Management Unit (SPMU), POSHAN Abhiyaan stated that for 2026, the campaign emphasizes early childhood care, recognizing that more than 85% of brain development occurs by the age of six years.
The thematic areas include mother and child nutrition, early stimulation for brain development (0–3 years), play-based education in early years (3–6 years), role of parents & community in minimizing screen time and community support for strengthening Anganwadis.
Departments working in convergence include General Administration, Health & Family Welfare, Rural Development (NSRLM), School Education, and Social Welfare.
Planned activities in Nagaland include Poshan Pe Charcha, ANC awareness, breastfeeding and complementary feeding promotion, Poshan rallies, peer learning sessions, SHG participation, and local outreach, ANC camps, VHNSDs, and growth monitoring, home visits, caregiver counselling, mother-child interaction demonstrations, and play-based learning sessions, promotion of reduced screen time through ‘No Screen Hour’ and family engagement initiatives, recipe demonstrations, cooking competitions, and DIY toy-making workshops, Community support initiatives, CSR convergence, and organisation of Poshan Melas
The campaign will mobilize Anganwadi workers, frontline functionaries, parents, caregivers, and communities across Nagaland to promote optimal nutrition and holistic child development.
The initiative reinforces convergence, behavioural change, and community ownership as key drivers for achieving the goals of POSHAN Abhiyaan.
The Department of Social Welfare has also called upon all stakeholders and citizens to actively participate in POSHAN Pakhwada 2026 and contribute towards building a healthier and well-nourished Nagaland.