“Health should not be seen as a blessing to be wished for, but rather as a human right to be fought for.”

These words by General Kofi Annan, the seventh Secretary-General of UN hold more relevance today as the nation’s current pandemic has highlighted the importance of good nutrition and food security than ever before, an issue that India is still grappling to deal with, given malnutrition stands as one of the biggest impediments to its path to holistic growth and development. 

The fact that malnutrition is a vice which goes beyond financial boundaries, sometimes for the lack of food and at other times for the lack of knowledge of food, the current time offers a great opportunity to educate oneself of India’s nutrition status as well as begin work on nutrition-focused activities in the development space and also improve our nutrition literacy. 

With this article, we aim to make your first stepping stone in this journey of nutrition easier. 

As the world is thriving in virtual space, social media platforms have been replacing how we receive and process information. Twitter is one such social platform with 13.15 million users in India, which brings discussions on breaking news and burning issues to tips on living a better life and cracking your dream job (you name anything), all on the same platform. 

We bring to you this article with 20 curated Twitter Handles in India and 3 reasons on why you should follow them. Go on, have a read and delve into working on nutrition- as an individual, non-profit or a company.

 
1. POSHAN Abhiyaan

@POSHAN_Official 

The official account for Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment in India to spread the message of #SahiPoshanDeshRoshan. 
Why to follow:

India’s novel flagship programme using multi-sectoral convergence mission for the first time to reduce malnutrition

Implementing nationwide nutrition mission and mapping nutrition progress 

Converting Nutrition Awareness into a Jan Andolan, meaning People’s Movement

2. UNICEF India

@UNICEFIndia 
The official account of UNICEF India which has been working side-by-side with India to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential since 1949 and works on the principle of #ForEveryChild. 

Why to follow: 

UN institution bringing updates on development work from various sectors towards providing a better childhood to India’s kids

Focuses on the need to invest in children’s nutrition which would yield the highest returns

Sharing the latest policies, laws and activities on nutrition

 3. Ministry of WCD

@MinistryWCD 

The official Account of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

Why to follow: 

Ministry of WCD is leading POSHAN Abhiyaan- the biggest nutrition program in the world

Sharing ways to reduce malnutrition among the primary target group- child, adolescent girls and mothers

Updates from Government’s front on nutrition-based activities

 4. IMPact4Poshan

@IMPAct4Poshan 

IMPAct4Nutrition, a platform incubated by UNICEF India works to mobilize private action for nutrition by promoting Company’s engagement in making #POSHANAbhiyaan a #JanAndolan. 

Why to follow: 

Platform for corporates to focus on the principle of “Good Nutrition is Good Business”

Leveraging private sector engagement on addressing nutrition through CSR, EE and EVP

Sharing customized resources for promoting messages and tips for balance nutrition diet. 

 

5. IFPRI South Asia

 @IFPRISAO 

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.
Why to follow: 

Communicating evidence-based research and capacity strengthening related to food and nutrition security in the region

Learning from their regional and country programs to respond to demand for food policy research and in delivering holistic support for country-led development

Strengthening capacity of corporate and organizations through leveraging data and analytical tools

6. TINI

@tini_tatatrusts

The India Nutrition Initiative (TINI) created under the aegis of the Tata Trusts is its multi-pronged approach to be able to address the issue of malnutrition effectively and at scale.
Why to follow: 

Carrying forward Tata Trusts work in addressing malnutrition in the country

Shares updates on its diverse work and programs which are designed to complement and add value to the government’s programs 

Piloting sustainable approaches within respective local/regional contexts that can be replicated  

7. NITI Aayog

@NITIAayog

NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) serves as a Think Tank of the Government, a directional & policy dynamo. RT does not imply endorsement.

Why to follow: 

Provides policy directions to address India's Nutrition Challenges through coordinated inter-sectoral action

Released the National Nutrition Strategy 2017 that forms the bedrock of POSHAN Abhiyaan’s implementation framework

Entrusted with the task of closely monitoring the POSHAN Abhiyaan and sharing its updates

8. FSSAI

@fssaiindia

This is the official account of Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) - the apex food regulator of India under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Why to follow: 

Responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety

Builds a New India by enabling citizens to have safe and nutritious food whose lessons it propagates regularly 

Shares nutrition guide books customized for schools, workplaces, homes, hospitals and other institutions

9. World Food Programme India

@UNWFP_India

The official account of the UN World Food Programme in India which is supporting Indian Government's efforts towards food & nutrition security since 1968.

Why to follow:

Leading humanitarian organization to coordinate the distribution of food aid

Shares anecdotes of their collaborative work interventions in nutrition space to learn

Shares talks with expert professionals who provides guidance in nutrition interventions.

10. Smriti Z Irani

@smritiirani

The personal account of the Union Cabinet Minister for Textiles and Women & Child Development, Government of India

Why to follow: 

Nodal person for the Minister of WCD which is spearheading NNM 

Shares progress of Ministry’s work on NNM

Posts and updates latest news on country’s mission to fight malnutrition

11. #StopChildMalnutritionIndia

@arjandewagt

The personal account of Arjan de Wagt, Chief Nutrition Section at UNICEF India. 

Why to follow:

Key spokesperson for the nutrition mission led by UNICEF India

Provides knowledge nuggets on why there is a need to address nutrition and the best ways to do so

Shares the latest initiatives in nutrition being undertaken in the country 

12. HealthifyMe

@healthifyme

HealthifyMe is Asia’s largest and most loved health & fitness app with over 15 million users serviced by a network of top nutritionists and trainers.

Why to follow: 

Tracking over 55,000 foods and 1,500 exercises to stay healthy

Provides team of certificate health and fitness professionals through its mobile app

Shares the best way to live a healthy life, ensuring the nutrition component is not compromised in our diets.

13. Piramal Swasthya

@PiramalS 

Piramal Swasthya works towards making healthcare accessible, affordable and available to all segments of the population, especially those most vulnerable

Why to follow: 

One of the leading healthcare providers who regularly updates on the best ways to live a healthy life

Shares knowledge through video resources on health and nutrition

Updates on its customized health and nutrition care models for others to learn from

14. Rujuta Diwekar

@RujutaDiwekar

The personal account of India's leading sports science and nutrition expert and the Winner of the 'Nutrition Award' from Asian Institute of Gastroenterology.

Why to follow:

One amongst the world's most followed nutritionists and country’s foremost speakeron health and welless

Shares ways to have a healthy body and mind through a blend of traditional food wisdom and modern nutritional science 

Propagates the mantra of eating affordable and local food to maintain a nutritious diet

15. Ministry of Health

@MoHFW_INDIA

This is the official twitter account of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

 

Why to follow:

Responsible for ensuring safe, hygienic and wholesome food to the consumers

Shares health updates on primary target population groups in nutrition-based activities

Updates from government’s initiatives that can be complemented by private sector and civil society organizations

16. Purnima Menon

@PMenonIFPRI

Dr. Purnima Menon is a senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute where she is the theme leader for South Asia Nutrition Programs in IFPRI’s Poverty, Health, and Nutrition Division. 

Why to follow:

An expert in the domain of nutrition research, she directs POSHAN (Partnerships and Opportunities to Strengthen and Harmonize Actions for Nutrition in India), an initiative to support more use of evidence for nutrition in India

An accomplished nutritionist who shares all kinds of updates in the nutrition space

Shares knowledge contents on nutrition through data and research reports 

17. TheMomSagas

@CharuGujjal

The personal account of Charu Sareen Gujjal-the mommy blogger behind the Mom Sagas who shares parenting tips to ensure children maintain their nutrition dietary requirements at all times.

Why to follow:

Shares easy tips for parents to ensure their children get all the required nutrients

Shares her blog writings on building immunity in kids through right nutrition

Talks about other aspects of maintaining nutrition- vaccination, growth monitoring, etc. 

18. Sight and Life

@SightandLife

Sight and Life (SAL) is a pioneer of nutrition innovations based on science and working towards eradicating malnutrition in women of childbearing age and their children.

 

Why to follow:

Shares learning facts on the best aspects to focus on while initiating a nutrition program

One of the initiative partners in I4N which is working towards creating a malnutrition-free India

Shares collaborative sector models to address the problem of malnutrition

19. Action Against Hunger

@AAH_India 

A not-for-profit organization established in 2012 with a simple goal in mind: No more hungry children in India. #EndingMalnutrition in India

Why to follow:

Shares local initiatives on how people from the grassroots are addressing malnutrition

Talks on food security and the best ways to address malnutrition in the country

Follows on their own progress of nutrition interventions to share and learn from with others

20. Smart Food

@SmartFoodGlobal

Official handle for the #SmartFood initiative led by @ICRISAT to Mainstream #Millets. #SmartFood - Food that is #GoodForYou, #GoodForFarmers, #GoodForPlanet

Why to follow:

Encourages ideas of diversifying staples that constitute 70% of a meal and bringing millets into mainstream to reach the mass market to overcome nutrition

Share their work focused on small holder farmers to ensure that rural communities benefit from the increased demand, and from the health and nutritional benefits of Smart Foods

Shares easy to find millet producers and products along with quickly prepared tasty and healthy millet dishes