Vitamin Angels India

Meet the man who started as a midwife 30 years ago, and now runs a nutrition organisation in 65 countries! He found nutrition as his passion and went on to set up a hugely successful and popular nutrition products industry. It took a turn when soon after an earthquake in Jan 1994, a relief agency met him and requested him to support the surviving families in Southern California with multivitamins. In the following 30 years, his work created an inspiring example of “shared value“ businesses and non-profits can create together, filling a critical gap in nutrition for hard-to-reach communities. Today, the organisation Howard Schiffer set up 30 years ago provides evidence-based nutrition interventions in 65 countries, working in close partnerships with country govts. What struck me in Howard’s story is that he did not take no for an answer when it came to approaching the best and the most credible folks and organisations to partner with. I guess, that’s the power of doing the right thing, and building something honestly, with heart and mind in the right place. 3 and a half years ago, his story inspired me to start a journey with Vitamin Angels. One of such partnerships for us has been with Sight and Life globally. That makes two inspiring organisations!! Thank you Howard Schiffer and Neha Bainsla for lunch and discussing how could we create something meaningful together and support the govt and communities to address undernutrition in #India. #nutrition #india #children #mothers #malnutrition #CSR

Taking care of a mother's nutrition during pregnancy is essential for ensuring a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and long-term health benefits for both the mother and the child. Anemia, primarily caused by iron deficiency, is quite common among expecting mothers, affecting one in two pregnant women aged 15-49 years in India, according to the National Family Health Survey 5. Here’s Bajre Ka Raab recipe, a traditional dish from Rajasthan, that’s great for pregnant women thanks to the iron-rich properties of bajra (pearl millet), which help prevent #anemia and promote healthy blood circulation. This nutritious dish is also a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, all of which are essential for the wellbeing of both the mother and the developing baby. Additionally, Bajre Ka Raab provides vitamin D to aid calcium absorption, and vitamin B12, which helps convert glucose into energy. Its high protein and fiber content also give a feeling of satiety, aiding in weight management. Incorporate this dish — especially brought to you as part of our Poshan Power: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign for Poshan Maah 2024 — into your diet to support overall maternal health and ensure the necessary nutrients are provided during #pregnancy. Join us in making healthier #food choices and support our mission to improve #nutrition across the country. Together, we can make a real impact. . . . . #PoshanMaah2024 #PoshanMaah #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #health #malnutrition #nutrition

We are humbled and grateful to be recognised and awarded the Editorial Choice Award 2024 for Social Change Catalyst by TheCSRUniverse Dr. Ashutosh Mishra's contribution to the work we do in India is immense because of both his knowledge of maternal and child health and the expertise and experience he brings to our on-ground interventions. It is with the support of people like him and our team that we continue to move forward with the vision of ensuring healthier futures for women and children in India. #CSR #SocialChange #SocialImpact #HealthforAll #malnutrition #mothersandchildren

A warm bowl of Rasam is a time-honored remedy, especially comforting when you're under the weather. This slightly spiced, sour, soup-like dish is not only soothing but also highly nutritious when made with rice starch, elevating its health benefits significantly. Our Rice Starch Rasam recipe, originating from Mangaluru in Karnataka, is packed with protein, fiber, and essential micronutrients, making it gentle on the digestive system. That’s why it’s common to consume it during times of fever or diarrhea, to help maintain energy levels. This delicious and easy-to-make dish can be enjoyed anytime and is incredibly affordable, costing just Rs. 20. As part of our Poshan Power: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign for Poshan Maah 2024, we are sharing recipes to promote healthy, affordable eating. Stay connected with us throughout September for more nutritious recipes. Join our campaign so that we can reach more households together. DM us to know how you could source these recipes for communities and households across the country. . . . . #PoshanMaah2024 #PoshanMaah #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #health #malnutrition #nutrition #food

We are thrilled to announce that our Community-Led Action on Nutrition (CLAN) project in #Odisha was named a finalist for the Don Norman Design Award DNDA 2024 in the education category! Although we didn’t take home the award, we are honored to be among the select few chosen from across the world from many impressive submissions, where the judges acknowledged our meaningful work. https://lnkd.in/g6uQCCTp Thank you to our amazing Poshan Ma-elis, who are working on the ground every day to build nutrition awareness in the communities around them, and our steadfast partner KANDHAMAL ZILLA SABUJA VAIDYA SANGATHAN (KZSVS) for their dedication to the #CLAN project. This special mention gives us the encouragement to continue carrying our work on the ground and make a significant impact in the lives of the women and children we serve.  . . . . #ProjectCLAN #CSR #SocialImpact #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #HealthForAll #community #SupportUs #JoinUs #impact #change #MalnutritionFreeIndia #MalnutritionInIndia #PublicHealth #nutrition #malnutrition #India #healthydiet

Ragi is more than just a healthy breakfast option — it has the potential to protect against various health issues, especially when included in a delicious recipe like Ragi Kheer. This simple, quick-to-make dish from Odisha is bursting with #nutrition and is a hit with children. #Ragi is loaded with essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and fiber, making it a powerful food for supporting the growth and development of children and promoting the health of pregnant women. The high calcium content helps build strong bones, while its iron helps prevent #anemia — a common concern during pregnancy and in growing #children. What’s even better is that ragi is locally available and sustainable in many #tribal areas, making it an accessible and eco-friendly food choice for everyone. Try the recipe, which comes as part of our #PoshanPower: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign for #PoshanMaah2024, where we’re showcasing Indian food made with indigenous and healthy ingredients. We are happy to share more such recipes with your organization and promote health and wellbeing in our communities. If you’d like to support our mission of driving nutrition equity in India, connect with us. . . . #PoshanMaah2024 #PoshanMaah #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #health #malnutrition #nutrition #food

We’re delighted to have onboard our long-standing partner Every Infant Matters for our Poshan Power: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign this Poshan Maah! Together, we are committed to tackling childhood malnutrition and anemia by empowering communities to take charge of their health and nutrition through recipes that are easy to make, affordable, and use locally available ingredients. Join our campaign so that we can reach more households together. And stay tuned for host of recipes all month long.  . . . . #PoshanMaah2024 #PoshanMaah #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #diet #food #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #NutritionForAll

Here’s something you might not know about #moringa — this versatile plant is not just a nutrient powerhouse, it’s also a sustainability hero. Moringa trees grow in harsh conditions, requiring minimal water and care, making them an excellent crop for regions facing water scarcity. making it an important resource for vulnerable communities. Incorporating moringa into your diet and daily life supports not only your health but also contributes to sustainable farming and water conservation practices. So, here’s a simple yet delicious way to incorporate #moringa into your meals with a traditional Moringa Chutney recipe from Central India, as part of our Poshan Power: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign. This Poshan Maah, we're on a mission to make meals healthier, more nutritious for everyone – but especially for mothers and children – with easy to make and affordable dishes that tackle malnutrition and #anemia. Join us this endevor by partnering with us and supporting our work, Get in touch to learn more.   . . . . #PoshanMaah #PoshanMaah2024 #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #AnaemiaMuktBharat #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #health #malnutrition #nutrition #food

Native to India, moringa – or drumstick – has been a trusted part of traditional Indian kitchens and medicines since centuries. Particularly rich in vitamin A, moringa leaves are a powerful ally for eye health, supporting vision and preventing deficiencies that can lead to its problem. But the benefits don't stop there — #moringa leaves are also packed with other essential nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals, making it a potent resource for supporting bone, heart, and digestive health, regulating blood sugar, and providing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The fourth dish of our #PoshanPower series comes from #Maharashtra. Shevgyachya Panachi Bhaji, or stir-fried moringa leaves is not just easy to make but also gives you a boost of vitamins. Our Poshan Power: #HealthyPlatesOfIndia campaign aims to build a knowledge bank of recipes that are nutritious, affordable and easy to make. The repository is crowd sourced and highlights indigenous and local ingredients that are eaten in households across the country. We aim to empower communities and households with information and awareness so that every plate is nutritious and healthy. This #PoshanMaah2024, join us in sharing this campaign across your networks, so that every child and every mother can be healthy and thrive. DM to know how you can support our evidence-based nutrition interventions. Vitamin Angels Swasti Community Action Collab The Breakfast Revolution . . . . #PoshanMaah #SwadAnusar #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan #campaign #recipe #RecipesOfIndia #PoshanAbhiyaan #Poshan #India #IndigenousFoods #HealthForAll #health #malnutrition #nutrition

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐲? It is not funny how we build systems expecting that ‘common sense’ drives decisions. If that was the case, we would not lose insane number of lives to preventable accidents. Or to under-nutrition! Today, we let 1 million children die of malnutrition every year (World Health Organization). Countless children face life-long morbidities, resulting in severely shortened life or economic potential. But who would want their children to die or remain weak? So it is really common sense to not do anything that exposes us to risks. But if common-sense drove our actions, we would have every driver driving defensively. Every woman would have access and care she needs when pregnant. Every child would have breast-milk in the first half an hour of birth! Doesn’t quite happen. That is the reason why 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 exists as an important body of work and knowledge. Let’s unpack that a little. I have seen 'social and behaviour change’ programs entailing a bunch of 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, distributed in printed or on-screen format. The premise that people would see an instruction and follow it to a T - is flawed! It’s based on common-sense… Doesn’t work! Social and behaviour change is not = Do’s and Don’ts or Instructions. Instructions are mere 'compliance', and should not be mistaken for an intervention. To change behaviours, let's develop stuff that helps people develop their own 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤. This approach would mean getting 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯 of undesirable behaviour. And not stop there, but get into the 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 - quite literally. Correct behaviour has to become one’s 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺. Hazard Perception is a simple and effective way to safe driving behaviour, for example. It develops one's muscle memory to take safe-driving decisions. Instructions, enforcement, incentives - these are 𝐧𝐨𝐭 sustainable approaches to social and behaviour change. They sub-consciously drive people to 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 and escape. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 - 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 - 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. So work on ‘what drives their decision making’ and not the decision itself. What are some ideas of behaviour-change that have blown you away? #SBC #Nutrition #POSHAN #India #Safety #Change #CSR Vitamin Angels | Catalyst 2030 India Nutrition Collaborative