New Delhi, Oct 4, 2024: In a significant step towards promoting holistic nutrition for children, Project Nand Ghar, through the Anil Agarwal Foundation, has distributed millet protein shakes across Nand Ghars in the states where Vedanta has business units.
Nand Ghar, a flagship social impact project under the Anil Agarwal Foundation, is a model project working towards strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem of the country. The over 6,200 Nand Ghars are the enabler of change and sustainable development with a presence in 14 states across India and currently impacting more than 2.25 lakh children and 1.8 lakh women.
Over the month of September, over 50,000 millet shakes were distributed to approximately 6,000 children, spanning multiple districts of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
This initiative aims to reinstate the importance of millets in the daily diet of children and the community at large. Through such supplements and nutrition centric programs, Nand Ghar is supporting the government in taking further the vision of a healthy and nourished India.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta, remarked, "Following the success of the multi-millet nutri bar that we launched last year to combat malnourishment amongst children, we are delighted to celebrate Poshan Maah with the introduction of a nutritious millet shake at our Nand Ghars. Delivering child nutrition has taken centre stage at Nand Ghar, especially with our ‘Khaana Khaaya Kya’ movement, which aims to create a world where every child is healthy and well-nourished. The new millet shake is another step in this direction. It reiterates our dedication to the dream that no child should go to bed hungry"
The protein-dense millet shake, known for its nutritional value, has been manufactured by a startup Millet Bowl. Introduced for the first time in India, this patented and FSSAI certified product is rich in 23 essential vitamins and minerals, low in calorie with plant-based protein. It comprises Ragi, Bajra, Foxtail, and Kodu and prepared as a dairy-free, easy-to-consume liquid shake. It also contains purified water, jaggery, multi-millet flour, plant protein isolates, cocoa powder, coconut milk powder, vitamins, minerals premix, and vegan stabilizers. With a shelf life of 6 months, the product is designed to ensure long-lasting nutritional support. The Nand Ghar children will be enjoying the shakes in chocolate flavor.
Commenting on the launch of the program, Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar, said, “At Nand Ghar, we strive to nurture the future of India by addressing the critical issue of childhood malnutrition. By commencing the distribution of millet shakes to children across our centres during Poshan Maah, we are providing them with a nutrient-rich, traditional superfood. The initiative is an outcome of the #KhaanaKhaayaKya movement launched earlier this year, which has achieved massive success and is aimed at enhancing child nutrition. By leveraging the contributions received and utilizing a dual-channel approach, we aim to maximize reach and foster collaborative efforts for sustainable child nutrition improvement.”
Besides nutritional supplements such as the millet shake, Nand Ghar facilitates nutritious meals, and take-home rations for children and pregnant and lactating women to ensure their holistic growth and development.
