DAY-NRLM Hosts Two-Day Regional Workshop on Food, Nutrition, and Health
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), in partnership with the State Rural Livelihoods Mission (SRLM) of Meghalaya, recently hosted a two-day Regional Workshop in Shillong. The event, titled “Sangathan, Swasthya, Samriddhi: Women Collective’s Action on Food, Nutrition, Health & WASH (FNHW),” took place on June 30 and July 1, 2025. The workshop aimed to enhance self-help group (SHG)-led interventions in food, nutrition, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), while fostering collaboration and sharing successful community-driven models from across India.
Workshop Objectives and Activities
The primary goal of the workshop was to strengthen the integration of FNHW activities within the DAY-NRLM framework. It sought to encourage cross-learning among various states and to showcase successful community-driven initiatives. Participants included senior officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, State Mission Directors, and community leaders from 16 states, all of whom engaged in discussions about enhancing partnerships with line departments and civil society organizations. The workshop emphasized the importance of amplifying field insights to inform inclusive and sustainable policies.
On the first day, delegates participated in field visits to Laitkroh and Bholaganj Blocks in the East Khasi Hills District. They interacted with community leaders, SHGs, and Community Gender & Health Activists (CGHAs). The visits provided participants with firsthand experiences of community-led innovations, including transit homes that promote institutional deliveries and Agri-Nutrition Gardens managed by women collectives. These interactions highlighted the effectiveness of community-driven solutions to local challenges.
Keynote Speakers and Insights
The workshop featured notable speakers, including Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary of the Government of India, and Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development. Shri Sinha emphasized the need to prioritize human development over infrastructure to achieve a developed India, praising SHGs for their role in last-mile service delivery and behavioral change. He called for increased investment in preventive health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Smt. Sharan recognized CGHAs as vital contributors to maternal and child health, referring to them as “warriors in purple capes.” She stressed the importance of clarity in frontline roles and the need to scale FNHW efforts across SRLMs. Other speakers, including Shri Ramakrishna Chitturi and Shri Sibhy C. Sadhu, discussed Meghalaya’s transformative journey through community-led innovations and the importance of women’s participation in governance.
Community Innovations and Future Directions
The workshop also featured a panel discussion that highlighted successful models from various states, including Nagaland’s Lakhpati model and Tamil Nadu’s nutri-enterprises. Participants shared innovative strategies such as school nutrition programs and grassroots coordination for health promotion. The discussions underscored the significance of integrating FNHW within SHG-led livelihoods to achieve both economic and health benefits.
A session dedicated to elderly care addressed the challenges posed by India’s aging rural population. HelpAge India presented a community-led model that utilizes Elderly SHGs and mobile health units to provide dignified care. Kerala’s SRLM shared its experiences with care economy models that create jobs in health and elder care. The workshop concluded with discussions on an action plan emerging from the National Conclave on FNHW 2024, focusing on embedding FNHW priorities into institutional planning and community platforms.
The event showcased the collective efforts of various stakeholders in promoting health, nutrition, and empowerment within rural communities, setting a foundation for future initiatives aimed at achieving a healthier and more equitable society.
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