Lucknow/Sonbhadra: In a significant step toward strengthening nutrition services in Uttar Pradesh, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Adani Foundation for the implementation of the “Suposhan Project” in Sonbhadra district.
The MoU was signed in the gracious presence of Cabinet Minister Baby Rani Maurya. Senior officials attending the event included Additional Chief Secretary (Child Development & Nutrition) Leena Johri, ICDS Director Sarnit Kaur Broca, and Deputy Director Dr. Anupama Shandilya. Representing the Adani Group were North India Head and Senior Vice President (Corporate & Government Affairs) Anand Singh Bisen and General Manager (Corporate & Government Affairs) Manish Agrawal.
The Suposhan Project aims to strengthen ICDS services and enhance nutrition security among children aged 0–5 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The initiative will focus on preventing malnutrition and improving overall nutritional outcomes by aligning with existing departmental systems and providing technical and implementation support.
Special emphasis will be placed on identifying and managing wasting, underweight, and stunting among young children. Timely identification of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) cases will be ensured, with affected children linked to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres and health services.
Under the project, the Adani Foundation will conduct capacity-building programs for Anganwadi workers, offer training in growth monitoring, nutrition counseling, and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC). Community awareness campaigns, anemia control counseling for adolescent girls, guidance on balanced diets, and maternal and child health promotion initiatives will also be carried out.
Notably, the Suposhan Project is a non-financial proposal and will operate through convergence with departmental resources and infrastructure.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Baby Rani Maurya stated that eliminating malnutrition remains one of the state government’s top priorities, and such partnerships would deliver measurable results at the grassroots level. Additional Chief Secretary Leena Johri emphasized the importance of innovation and technical collaboration in strengthening departmental schemes. ICDS Director Sarnit Kaur Broca expressed confidence that the initiative would serve as a milestone in enhancing nutrition security in Sonbhadra district.
