Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has launched an initiative aimed at spreading awareness about nutrition and locally available nutritious food, fruits, and vegetables, a statement said on Wednesday. Vijnana Bharati (Vibha), 'Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats' (GIST) Forum, Vigyan Prasar, and Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (PRABHASS) have come together to launch mission "Aahaar Kranti" with the motto of 'Uttam Aahaar-Uttam Vichaar' (Good Diet-Good Cognition). Launching the initiative on Tuesday, Vardhan said, "Today, when the country is reeling under the onslaught of a pandemic like COVID-19, a balanced diet serves as a special tool to reduce the impact of the pandemic. At such a time, the need to create awareness about the importance of a balanced diet has become more vital than ever before."

The statement said the "Aahaar Kranti" movement is designed to address the peculiar problem being faced by India and the world -- hunger and diseases in abundance.

Studies estimate that India produces as much as two times the amount of calories it consumes. However, many in the country are still malnourished. The root cause of this strange phenomenon is the lack of nutritional awareness, it said.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister, Health and Family Welfare launched a new initiative called ‘Aahaar Kranti’ on April 13, 2021. The initiative aims to spread awareness about a nutritionally balanced diet in India.

Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (PRABHASS), Global Indian Scientists and Technocrats’ Forum (GIST), Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology have come together to launch the mission ‘Aahaar Kranti’.

Studies show that India produces two times the calories than it consumes. Still, there are many people lacking access to a nourishing meal in the country. Also, during the pandemic, there is a critical need for a nutritionally balanced diet. Healthy bodies will be able to fight the infection with greater resilience.

Objective

The initiative ‘Aahaar Kranti’ will focus on addressing the problem of hunger and diseases in abundance across India and the world. The initiative will shine a light on the richness and value of India’s traditional diet, the miracles of local fruits and vegetables, and the healing powers of a balanced diet.

During the online launch of the mission, the Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan noted that the first day of Ma Annapurna’s Chaitra Navratri is an apt day for launching a welfare programme such as ‘Aaahar Kranti’.

Aahaar Kranti Mission: Key Highlights

• The mission ‘Aaahar Kranti’ was launched by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister, Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on April 13, 2021.
• This motto of the mission is ‘Uttam Aahaar, Uttam Vichaar’ that translates to ‘Good Diet, Good Cognition’.
• The mission aims at raising awareness about a nutritionally balanced diet in India. It focuses on addressing the problem of hunger and diseases in abundance across India and the world.
• The initiative will shine a light on the richness and value of India’s traditional diet, the miracles of local fruits and vegetables, and the healing powers of a balanced diet.
• The initiative will give training to teachers, who will pass on the wisdom to the students, and this will create a flow of information from the children to their families and the society at large.
• The initiative will set a model for the world to follow and portray India as a ‘Vishwa guru’.