‘Modak Laddu’ Initiative: A Nutritional Boost for Pregnant Women and Future Generations
Aiming to improve maternal and fetal nutrition, the ‘Modak Laddu’ initiative has been launched in Korea district of Chhattisgarh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the district administration has introduced this unique program to provide nutritious ‘Modak Laddu’ to around 2,000 pregnant women every day.
A Step Towards Healthy Motherhood
The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance maternal and fetal nutrition and address the issue of low birth weight in newborns. The program is a visionary step by Korea Collector Smt. Chandan Tripathi, ensuring that pregnant women receive a balanced diet essential for a healthy pregnancy.
Under this scheme, each pregnant woman receives 30 ‘Modak Laddus’ (two per day) for a period of 15 days. The laddus are distributed through Anganwadi centers, and for those unable to visit, members of the ‘Poshan Sangwari’ group deliver them to their homes.
‘Modak Laddu’: A Perfect Blend of Nutrition and Tradition
In Bakulthpur block’s Ani village, 25 women from self-help groups are engaged in preparing 9,000 to 10,000 ‘Modak Laddus’ daily. These laddus are made using traditional and nutrient-rich ingredients such as sattu (roasted gram flour), ragi (finger millet), bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), gond (edible gum), dry ginger, sesame seeds, peanuts, cardamom, and ghee.
Each laddu weighs 30 grams and is rich in essential nutrients, containing 139 kcal energy, 3.2g protein, 45 mg calcium, and 0.6 mg iron. These nutrients play a crucial role in ensuring the healthy development of both the mother and the unborn child. Additionally, the preparation of the laddus is adjusted based on seasonal requirements to maximize health benefits.
Why the Name ‘Modak’?
The district administration named this nutritious laddu ‘Modak’ for a special reason. Dr. Ashutosh Chaturvedi, CEO of Zila Panchayat, explained that Modak is not just a traditional sweet but also holds significance in Ayurveda. Ancient texts like the Charaka Samhita mention Abhayadi Modak and Shatavari Modak, which are known for their medicinal benefits.
Ensuring Special Care for Pregnant Women
Collector Smt. Chandan Tripathi emphasized that proper nutrition for pregnant women is crucial for a healthy next generation. To ensure this, the district administration has implemented comprehensive Antenatal Care (ANC) screenings for all pregnant women in their first trimester. This helps identify potential pregnancy complications and significantly reduces maternal and infant mortality rates.
Moreover, high-risk pregnant women suffering from anemia, diabetes, hypertension, and low weight are receiving specialized care to ensure that newborns have a birth weight of over 2.5 kg and both mother and baby remain healthy.
Empowering Women with Employment Opportunities
This initiative is not just about improving maternal health but also about creating livelihood opportunities for rural women. Women from self-help groups are engaged in preparing ‘Modak Laddus’, enabling them to become financially independent and contribute to their families’ well-being.
A Major Step Towards Eradicating Malnutrition
Dr. Ashutosh Chaturvedi, CEO of Zila Panchayat, stated that the primary objective is to eliminate malnutrition and ensure that unborn children develop a strong foundation both mentally and physically before birth.
The ‘Modak Laddu’ initiative is not just a nutritional program but a holistic social reform that aims to improve maternal health, ensure a healthier next generation, and strengthen rural women’s economic stability.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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