SHOPIAN, JUNE 12: In the picturesque yet challenging terrain of Shopian district, a quiet revolution in child and maternal health is steadily transforming lives. Under the flagship Poshan Abhiyan, formerly known as ICDS, the district has emerged as a glowing example of grassroots mobilization and unwavering commitment towards eradicating malnutrition and ensuring better nutrition & health outcomes for women and children.
A vast network of 566 Anganwadi Centres, 403 in Shopian and 163 in Keller, the reach of the Poshan Abhiyan is on way to benefit every eligible member of the district thereby serving the heart of communities.
According to the latest survey data, the target population under the scheme included 27,360 beneficiaries, comprising 2,085 lactating mothers, 1,713 pregnant women and 23,562 children aged between 6 months to 6 years.
Due to multiple factors, enrollment lagged behind with only 18,275 beneficiaries initially registered. A major chunk of the 9,085 eligible population remained uncovered.
These gaps were attributed to several factors including remoteness of certain Anganwadi Centres, harsh winter conditions, migration patterns of nomadic families and limited mobilisation besides awareness among sections of the population.
Recognizing the urgency to close this gap, the dedicated team of Anganwadi Workers and Supervisors, under the guidance of district-level leadership led by Deputy Commissioner Shopian, launched an aggressive mission-mode campaign during the ongoing year for enrollment of left out eligible population.
The impact was immediate and measurable, within just three months; the district achieved a remarkable increase in enrollment numbers. Total enrolled beneficiaries rose from 18,275 to 21,259, with 2,984 new beneficiaries added during the ongoing year for availing benefits under the Abhiyan. The number of uncovered individuals reduced from 9,085 to 6,101 marking a 30% improvement.
These new enrollments were significantly recorded from villages including Heerpora, Keller, Hermain, Pinjoora, Turkawangam, Vehil, Zainapora, and Zawoora, where intensified efforts helped overcome resistance of families and logistical hurdles.
Key strategies employed to achieve the visible results included door to door surveys and mobilisation drives, village level awareness camps, health- nutrition education sessions with mothers, real- time data entry and monitoring through the poshan tracker app.
While the journey is far from over, the past few months stand as a testament to what is possible when policy, people, and purpose align. The district administration, together with its Anganwadi workforce, has shown that with determination and passion even the most challenging gaps can be bridged.
Time-bound targets for ensuring 100% inclusion of the pending beneficiaries under the ambit of Abhiyan have been set and are being monitored by the DC Shopian۔
The Poshan Abhiyan in Shopian is not just a story of numbers — it is a story of lives touched, of futures secured, and of communities empowered. It is a reminder that real progress begins at the grassroots — one mother, one child, and one village at a time.
