BALCO Strengthens Grassroots Nutrition Awareness Through ‘Poshan Maah’ 2025

Balconagar, Chhattisgarh: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, observed Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month) 2025 with a series of impactful community interventions aimed at strengthening nutritional awareness and early childhood care across Korba district. Celebrated annually in September as part of the Government of India’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan, Poshan Maah seeks to improve nutritional outcomes among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. BALCO’s campaign, conducted under its Project Arogya and Nand Ghar initiatives, was themed ‘Building a Healthier Future for Every Child.’

The campaign focused on empowering mothers and caregivers with practical knowledge on child nutrition and preventive healthcare practices through interactive sessions, including Take Home Ration (THR) and Positive Deviance Hearth (PD Hearth). Mothers learned simple, locally adaptable recipes to improve family nutrition. Hands-on workshops, home-based demonstrations, and community engagement activities, infused with songs and creative competitions, helped spread awareness among families. The initiative reached over 250 parents and children across 40 communities and 33 Nand Ghars, deepening understanding of everyday nutrition and maternal health.

As part of its long-term commitment to child health, BALCO also launched the Shishu Sanjeevni Pack, a ready-to-eat, semi-solid nutritional supplement designed for children at Anganwadi centres. Each 40-gram serving delivers approximately 200 kcal of energy through a protein-rich formula, supporting Vedanta’s Run for Zero Hunger campaign. The initiative, implemented in partnership with the Social Revival Group of Urban Rural & Tribal (SROUT), is set to benefit over 14,000 children across 262 Nand Ghars (modern Angawadi centers) supported by BALCO.

To further support early childhood development, the company also introduced the Khilte Phool Module, a structured guide for Anganwadi workers and parents of children aged 0–3 years. The campaign also celebrated community participation by recognizing Champion Mothers, Best Nand Ghar (based on maximum attendance), Best Kitchen Garden, Best Poshan Badi, and the Most Active Anganwadi Worker, reinforcing the importance of collective action in building healthier communities.

Commenting on the initiative, Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO, said, “Nutrition is the silent force that shapes the destiny of every child. At BALCO, we envision a future where no child is left behind, where health, education, and opportunity converge to unlock human potential. Through initiatives like Project Arogya and Nand Ghar, we are delivering care and building systems that uplift communities, nurture dreams, and create a generation ready to lead with compassion, and purpose."

Expressing her experience, Akanksha Sahu, a mother from Belgarinala, shared, “Our family has always included green vegetables in our meals, but I noticed that my youngest child was not gaining strength like other children. It was later when I started attending the PD Hearth sessions where I understood that simply eating healthy is not always enough. Children have specific nutritional needs that must be met for proper growth and development. The THR recipes taught there were simple & helped in preparing balanced meals using locally available ingredients. By using these tips, I’ve seen my child’s health and energy levels go higher while enhancing my family’s overall well-being.”

Through Poshan Maah 2025, BALCO reaffirmed its commitment to advancing maternal and child health, integrating community participation, and strengthening the foundation of nutrition-led development, one household at a time.