Caritas India launched its annual Lenten Campaign against hunger and diseased, “Nutrition our Right” Poshan Hamara Haq – unite for a healthy India, in various parts of our country. The annual campaign through its activities created awareness among the people regarding solidarity, food security, medical care and a dignified life for all residents.

Caritas India being one of the leading humanitarian organization, works towards the betterment and upliftment of the marginalized community from decades and continues to give her services.

Malnutrition is a condition in which some nutrients are either not enough or it is too much that diet causes health problems. The various surveys and studies done in the past say’s that, the nation has enough resources and can able to feed its inhabitants, yet it continues to be the home of the highest number of malnourished women and children globally.

“India has the maximum number of malnourished children in the world – 1 in every 3 children are malnourished. The situation is extremely critical because the effects of malnourishment are irreversible if they occur at a young age. If not death, it leads to permanent disabilities that render the children ill for the rest of their lives.”

Some statistics and information on the present situation of children in country:

• 19.8 million children below age 6 in India are undernourished (ICDS 2015)
• Only 9.6% of children between 6-23 months in the country receive an adequate diet (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• 38% (1 in 3) of children between 0-5 years are stunted in the country (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• 21% (1 in 5) of the children in the country suffer from wasting (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• 36% of children under 5 years of age are underweight in India (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• 58% of children between 6months – 5 years were found to be anemic in the country (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• Total Immunization coverage in the country stood at 62% in 2015-16 (NFHS 4, 2015-16)
• 21% of the births in the country were home births (NFHS 4, 2015-16)

The Lenten campaign 2019, has been launched widely at National, state, Diocesan, parishes and even at village level to make sure to reach more deeper to the people and get connect with them and to spread the message of solidarity, how to get rid of malnutrition, to talk about unity, equality, importance of nutrition and the importance of healthy life. The Lenten campaign is flagged/launched by Bishops and other clergies/ Fathers in different parts of the country. Till date , it has been launched in several states such as Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and seven sisters’ states in North east region.

The main aim of this campaign is to fight the scourge of malnutrition, which it regards as a painful and shameful for entire mankind.

At the regional level launch of the Lenten campaign at Gauhati, Assam, Rev.Fr.(Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, the Asst. Executive Director of Caritas India, while addressing the people said that “malnutrition is a result of extreme poverty and inequality, irreversibly damages both individuals and society and increases the burden of the diseases on families and governments”.

Father Jolly quoted some phrases from the holy book ‘Bible’ in the context of the Lenten campaign and said that this is the mission and Bible is itself is the inspiration for this initiative (Lenten campaign), Jesus saw the hungry crowd and showed compassion on them. Church plays its role as a catalyst and mobilize conscience so that communities express their solidarity and commitment to feed the poor and the hungry people. The compassion of our savior (Jesus) needs to be lived and experienced in every person’s life to wipe out the stain of hunger and malnutrition from the society.

During the campaign launch caritas India various activities & initiatives were taken place all over the country. In Sunday’s homely a special message was delivered by the bishops and priests on Lenten campaign theme. Special collection (donation boxes) were kept inside the churches for the people to contribute for the cause.

Other Activities were as follows:    

• Created awareness and sensitization among the people through Posters/ placards and banners on malnutrition and hunger and diseases.
• Distribution of donation envelops and collection boxes to the people/families and it also kept in the churches for the contribution
• Separate collections were made in the churches during the Sunday mass
• Offered special prayers (intention) for the malnourished children and women.
• Awareness creation via Skit, processions, street play/nukkad natak, awareness rally and solidarity walk in many places.

• Special message delivered in the schools during the assembly and breaktime on malnutrition and its other aspects.
• Video Messages and press releases were also done in many places on the Lenten campaign and broadcasted in local media.
• Poster Designing competition for children and its exhibition, signature campaign, putting stalls etc. were also the part of this Lenten campaign.
• Nutrition Kit distribution for some families.