-Down to Earth Tells states to keep big contractors out of nutrition programme for children, and pregnant and lactating women The Supreme Court on Monday directed two BJP-ruled states, Gujarat and Rajasthan, to start decentralised procurement of rations for the child nutrition programme, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). ICDS, which was started in 1975 and is now a part of the National Food Security Act, provides for supplementary nutrition for all children from...

-The Times of India TRICHY: From now one, children in some of the anganwadi centres under the integrated child development services (ICDS) scheme in Trichy can relish new varieties of mixed food served during lunch. The scheme was introduced in 93 centres in Manikandam block and 119 centres in project-I in the city on Monday. The new scheme would ensure that four different varieties of mixed food prepared with vegetables will be...

-The New Indian Express   BALASORE: At Gudugudia anganwadi centre, eggs are hardly given in the lunch to children flouting new guidelines of the Government that egg curry must be served to the students in the age group of three to six years thrice a week. In case of pregnant and lactating women, eggs are served once in two months. There is no permanent anganwadi worker in the centre since October, 2013....

-The Indian Express India needs a national effort to speed up human development. That India was ranked 135 out of 187 countries on UNDP's human development index is perhaps the greatest concern for a nation with global ambition. In order to sustain our growth momentum and translate the gains of growth into wellbeing at a faster pace, India needs to rejig its strategy for accelerated human development. The performance in education and health...

-Down to Earth Area under cultivation of millets is declining in spite of national Food Security Mission While the Union government plans to restructure the Food Corporation of India (FCI), agriculture scientists and nutrition experts are recommending that effective millet management should be included in the Public Distribution System (PDS) of the country. The step is important to achieve the food and nutrition security for the small and marginal tribal farming communities,...