DAY– NRLM organises two-day regional workshop in Ranchi to strengthen SHG-led Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH efforts

Ministry of Rural Development DAY– NRLM organises two-day regional workshop in Ranchi to strengthen SHG-led Food, Nutrition, Health, and WASH efforts

Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 5:16PM by PIB Delhi The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, in collaboration with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society

(JSLPS), hosted a two-day Regional Workshop on “Sangathan, Swasthya, Samriddhi: Women Collective’s nd rd Action on Food, Nutrition, Health & WASH (FNHW)” from 22 to 23 July 2025, in Ranchi. The workshop focused on strengthening SHG-led FNHW interventions and cross-learning among states and fostering partnerships with line departments and development agencies.

The workshop was graced by Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Jharkhand,Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary, MoRD, Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD, Dr.

Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, Shri K. Srinivasan, Secretary, RDD, Jharkhand, Shri Ananya Mittal, CEO, Jharkhand SRLM and Smt. Harshika Singh, CEO, Madhya Pradesh SRLM. Senior officials, FNHW state in- charges and community cadres from 14States/ UTs namely Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh participated in the workshop.

On the first day, field visit was organized where community cadre demonstrated key FNHW interventions including planning process, peer learning, community monitoring and interactions with federation leaders, community cadres, block officials and frontline workers of line departments.

The second day featured an inaugural session. Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Minister of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand, stated that health is wealth and a single health issue derails a household’s financial stability. She applauded the role of SHG women and stressed the need to prioritise mental wellness along with other health and wellness issues.

Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, delivered the keynote address and stressed that SHGs' can play a catalytic role in driving grassroots transformation and called for an increased investment in FNHW and urged to adopt a preventive approach for better health outcomes and productivity.

Smt. Smriti Sharan appreciated the efforts of SRLMs and dedication of community cadre, and highlighted the need for sustained efforts, greater convergence and focus on development of immersion sites.

Shri K. Srinivasan, Secretary, RDD, Jharkhand, emphasised that building a Viksit Bharat must begin with Viksit Districts, Viksit Villages and Viksit Families, Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, Government of India shared the national perspective, progress and roadmap for FNHW. Smt. Harshika Singh, CEO, Madhya Pradesh SRLM highlighted the need for region-specific training and targeted approach for high burden areas, Shri Ananya Mittal highlighted Jharkhand’s integrated FNHW strategy, linking health with livelihoods to tackle multidimensional poverty. A Health and Poshan Toolkit developed by Madhya Pradeshwas also launched at the workshop.

Two panel discussions explored how health, nutrition, and community-led action are central to women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation. Senior officers from Department of Women and Child Development and Panchayati Raj, Jharkhand shared their experiences of working with SHGs and recognized their role in sensitization and mobilization of the community. In the second panel discussion, state nodal officers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Gujarat emphasized that FNHW interventions are effective in addressing multidimensionalpoverty. They also shared challenges and identified the need forstrengtheningsystem for real time monitoring, capacity building of community institutions, skilled staff for achieving the desired outcomes.

The Community Resource Persons shared their inspiring experiences and journey of transforming their and others members’ life leading to visible improvements and demonstrating the impact of women-led action at the grassroots. A session on elderly care highlighted India's rapidly aging rural population and the urgent need for addressing the emerging situation. HelpAge India presented a community-led pyramid model using Elderly SHGs, mobile health units, and telemedicine to ensure age-specific, dignified care and inclusion.

*** RC/KSR/AR (Release ID: 2148434)