Himanta Biswa Sarma links Maa Kushmanda worship to anaemia, malnutrition fight
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma turned a Navratri observance into a public health appeal — linking the symbolism of Maa Kushmanda with the state's war on anaemia and malnutrition. By invoking 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari', Sarma is attempting to shift nutrition from a government programme into a community-owned mission, using religious sentiment as a mobilisation tool.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma linked the worship of Maa Kushmanda on Navratri Day 4 to the fight against anaemia and malnutrition .
POSHAN Abhiyaan Anganwadi centres in Assam provide supplementary nutrition, hot cooked meals, health check-ups, and counselling to pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls , and children below six years .
This year's Poshan Maah campaign carries the message 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari' , calling for collective community responsibility.
Sarma urged families and communities — not just the government — to take ownership of improving nutritional outcomes across Assam.
The Chief Minister invoked Maa Kushmanda's blessings and called on citizens to use Navratri 2026 to renew their commitment to eliminating malnutrition.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, drew a direct connection between the worship of Maa Kushmanda on the fourth day of Navratri and the state government's ongoing efforts to eliminate anaemia and malnutrition among women and children. The Chief Minister used the religious occasion to spotlight the role of Anganwadi centres operating under the Centre's POSHAN Abhiyaan across Assam.
Religious Symbolism Meets Public Health
In a message posted on X, CM Sarma described Maa Kushmanda as a symbol of life, health, nourishment, and energy. He drew a deliberate parallel between the day's spiritual significance and the critical need for maternal and child nutrition, arguing that proper nourishment must begin during pregnancy and continue through a child's formative early years.
What POSHAN Abhiyaan Delivers in Assam
According to the Chief Minister, Anganwadi centres across Assam provide a range of services under POSHAN Abhiyaan, including supplementary nutrition, hot cooked meals, health check-ups, and counselling. The beneficiaries include pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children below six years of age. Sarma also highlighted the work of Anganwadi workers and helpers, who track beneficiaries to ensure no one is excluded from the welfare initiative.
Poshan Maah 2026: Collective Responsibility
Referring to this year's Poshan Maah campaign, the Chief Minister cited its central message — 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari' — as a call for shared accountability in improving nutritional outcomes. Sarma stressed that ensuring good nutrition should not be treated as a government programme alone but as a responsibility shared by families and communities across the state.
The Broader Vision for Assam
Emphasising the link between maternal health and the well-being of future generations, CM Sarma said healthy mothers raise healthy children and that well-nourished children are essential for building a stronger Assam. He urged citizens to use the occasion of Navratri to renew their commitment to combating anaemia and malnutrition. The message concludes with an invocation of Maa Kushmanda's blessings for good health in every household.
The appeal signals a broader communications strategy by the Assam government — weaving public health goals into cultural and religious moments to maximise community reach and engagement.
Point of View
Or the lack of it, to Anganwadi outreach alone sidesteps structural gaps in nutrition, access, and accountability. Mobilising community sentiment is valuable, but without hard outcome data from Assam's Anganwadi network, 'Hamari Jimmedari' risks being a slogan rather than a measurable commitment.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about Maa Kushmanda and nutrition?
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Maa Kushmanda, worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri, symbolises life, health, nourishment, and energy — a significance he connected to the need for proper maternal and child nutrition. He used the occasion to highlight Assam's ongoing work under POSHAN Abhiyaan and urged families to take collective responsibility for nutritional outcomes.
What services do Anganwadi centres provide under POSHAN Abhiyaan in Assam?
Under POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anganwadi centres in Assam provide supplementary nutrition, hot cooked meals, health check-ups, and counselling to pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children below six years of age. Anganwadi workers and helpers also track beneficiaries to ensure no one is left out of the programme.
What is the theme of Poshan Maah 2026?
The theme of this year's Poshan Maah campaign is 'Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Jimmedari', which translates broadly as 'Our Anganwadi, Our Responsibility'. CM Sarma invoked the message to call for collective community and family involvement in improving nutritional outcomes across Assam.
Why did CM Sarma link Navratri with anaemia and malnutrition awareness?
Sarma linked the religious occasion of Navratri to public health to use the cultural significance of the festival as a platform for reaching wider audiences with nutrition messaging. He argued that combating anaemia and malnutrition should not be seen as a government responsibility alone but as a shared commitment of families and communities.
Who are the primary beneficiaries of Assam's POSHAN Abhiyaan?
The primary beneficiaries are pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children below six years of age. Anganwadi workers actively track these groups to ensure they receive supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, and counselling under the programme.
