Even kids’ nutrition used to be influenced by liquor mafia: CM Yogi Adityanath

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ninth National Nutrition Month on Wednesday, accusing previous state governments of allowing the "liquor mafia" to influence the supply of nutrition for children. In Varanasi, the chief minister highlighted issues such as ration supplies being withheld for three months at a time, and the lack of safe drinking water, toilets, and hot meals at Anganwadi centers.

The campaign, running from September 9 to October 8, aims to focus on dietary diversity, adequate protein intake, fresh and hot-cooked meals at Anganwadi centers, community ownership, early childhood education, and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. Adityanath emphasized that a balanced diet, free from excessive salt or sweetness, is crucial for children's physical and mental development.

Around 1.90 lakh Anganwadi centers have been sanctioned, providing services to 897 Child Development Projects and 1.56 crore beneficiaries monthly. The chief minister also stressed the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life, noting that a study showed inadequate facilities contributed to children, particularly girls, dropping out of school between Classes 3 and 7.