July 21, 2023, New Delhi: Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the philanthropic arm of Vedanta, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR- NIN) to partner in its future endeavors and provide technical advice in public health nutrition activities being carried out under its pan – India women and child welfare project Nand Ghar.
The MoU was signed between Dr. R Hemalatha, Director, ICMR- NIN and Dr. Richa Malik, Head – Nutrition, Nand Ghar, Anil Agarwal Foundation in the presence of Dr. Avula Laxmaiah, Former Scientist G & Head of Public Health Nutrition Division, ICMR- NIN and Mr. Khurram Naayab – Head of Operations, Nand GharAnil Agarwal Foundation.
As part of this collaboration, NIN would support Anil Agarwal Foundation to strengthen the nutrition model for Nand Ghar in the sphere of women & child development with an aim to ensure that all children, women, and the community at large adopt nutrition-sensitive practices. This will further reinforce in establishing convergence through Govt. liaison and the existing ICDS, WCD program.
In 2023, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) launched a nutrition initiative for children, providing multimillet nutri-bars rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
This 6-month pilot project that was kickstarted in March aligns with the government’s push to promote millet in daily diets and further their mission of making India malnutrition-free.
AAF is distributing 9 million nutri bars to almost 50,000 children aged 3- 6 years daily across 1400 aanganwadis including Nand Ghars in Varanasi district, every day, thus aiming to improve the daily nutrient intake of children, boost cognitive development, and reduce absenteeism while increasing enrolment in pre-schools.
The pilot initiative by Anil Agarwal Foundation has also received a letter of appreciation from Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR for its efforts to drive a positive impact by including millet in children’s daily diet and furthering POSHAN 2.0 as well as the millet mission of the country.
