Patna, April 24 (ABN): Poshan Pakhwada-2026 was concluded by ICDS Directorate under Social Welfare Department at Gyan Bhawan, Patna. In the state level workshop held on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister and Social Welfare Minister Bajinder Yadav formally inaugurated the Disability Protocol and Disability Testing Schedule (DSS) as Chief Guest. Department Secretary Bandana Pariishi said that within the next two months Android mobile phones will be provided to Anganwadi Sevakas and helpers.
The minister said that DSS is a simple checklist, with the help of which Anganwadi workers will be able to easily identify developmental delay in children aged 0 to 6 years in six areas such as motor development, language and communication, mental development, socio-emotional behavior, vision and hearing. Along with this, a strong referral system is being established to the District Early Intervention Center (DEIC) through Anganbari, Asha/ANM and RBS team. Apart from this, a WhatsApp community channel named “Hamare Bashe, Hamara Sandan” has been launched, through which information on nutrition, care, early education and brain development will be conveyed directly to the families. He also distributed Vidyarambah certificates to the children who completed the year and appreciated the services of the Anganwadi workers. On the occasion, Secretary Bandana Parishi said that more than 71 lakh activities were organized throughout Bihar during Poshan Pakhwada-2026. After the excellent performance in Poshan Month-2025, Bihar had secured the first position in the country and in the same continuity, the state has secured the first position at the national level in 2026. He further said that according to scientific studies, the first 6 years of a child's life are a strong foundation for physical, mental, emotional and social development and about 85% of brain development is completed in this period. If there is no proper nutrition, communication, play-based education and timely intervention, the child's future can be profoundly affected. The campaign focused on five key areas in the state, including maternal and child nutrition, early brain development of 0-3-year-old children, play-based education for 3-6-year-old children, reducing screen time and strengthening Anganwadi centers.
An extensive campaign to sensitize parents, anganwadi workers and the community was conducted across the state, which included anganwadi centers, VHSND sessions, door-to-door visits, potion rallies, lap-filling, adoption and mothers' committee meetings. Bihar has seen a steady improvement in the malnutrition situation. Age-wise stunting rate was 42.9% in NFSH-5 which has decreased to 40.60% in March 2026. Similarly, the rate of underweight has decreased from 41 percent to 19.2 percent and wasting has decreased from 22.9 percent to 7.7 percent. ICDS director, senior officers of social welfare department, district program officers, Bal Vikas project officers and representatives of other related institutions were present in large numbers in this program.