Why govt's National Nutrition Mission should focus on women's well-being

Studies have shown how women can influence their child's nutrition indirectly through their own nutritional status, therefore, well-being of women in terms of education among others should be ensured

About 400 metres from the sub-divisional magistrate’s office in Manikpur block of Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district, 18-month-old Chandni Kol sat crying outside her mud hut on a sweltering May afternoon. Her legs and arms were skinny while her belly was inflated–typical symptoms of malnourishment. Her eyes were glazed over and her nose showed some kind of an infection. Barely able to walk or crawl by herself, she looked much smaller than her age.

Born at home, Chandni’s birth was not registered in her village, Khudariya in Nihi gram panchayat, also in Manikpur block, which lies in a