https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

IAS Officer’s Innovative Campaign in Nanded Revolutionizes Nutrition Education

2019 batch IAS Officer Ms. Minal Karanwal leads an Initiative to Decode Nutrition Science in Nanded With IIT Bombay's collaboration, the administration made protein math more accessible, promoting healthier diets The project sets a precedent for preventative health measures against lifestyle diseases
Indian Masterminds Stories

It is often said that you always have to make the first move. Keeping this in mind, 2019 batch IAS officer Minal Karanwal has initiated a much-needed campaign against the effects of junk food, aiming to raise awareness and encourage dietary changes to combat modern diseases.

In an innovative effort, Ms. Karanwal has launched a significant project in Nanded, Maharashtra, aimed at improving nutrition awareness and understanding. Developed in collaboration with IIT Bombay, the project seeks to clarify the science of nutrition, making it accessible and practical for the daily diets of the local community. It focuses not only on raising awareness about diet-related diseases in the district, particularly in rural areas, but also on addressing malnutrition. Additionally, the project aims to educate people about the critical aspects of breastfeeding and adult nutrition, with a focus on the mathematical understanding of protein intake and leaving junk- food. 

Indian Masterminds interacted with Ms. Karanwal, CEO of Zila Parishad, Nanded, Maharashtra, to learn more about this project. 

IAS Minal Karanwal at a school

MATHEMATICS BEHIND PROTEIN 

The cornerstone of this initiative is an MoU signed with IIT Bombay, under which the premier institution has committed to training Nanded’s entire health workforce. The training emphasizes two primary areas: breastfeeding and adult nutrition, now with a significant focus on the latter. The unique approach adopted involves breaking down the complex calculations of protein intake required per individual based on their body weight.

Ms. Karanwal said, “If you consult any dietitian, they will likely advise that your protein intake should roughly match your body weight in grams; for example, if you weigh 50 kg, you should consume about 50 grams of protein daily. However, this concept can seem daunting, as if it’s reserved for celebrities or the wealthy.” 

To address this, IIT has simplified the issue by teaching us the mathematics behind protein intake. IIT has effectively elucidated the intricacies of protein consumption. Through their systematic approach, they’ve decoded the complexities surrounding protein.

In the mathematics of protein, IIT illustrates the protein content of common dietary items and how consuming them in specific quantities can align with our body weight requirements. For instance, they highlight that a glass of milk contains 8 grams of protein, as does a bowl of curd.

While acknowledging the importance of protein, IIT focuses on simplifying the process of determining how much to consume. They achieve this by emphasizing natural dietary sources and steering clear of advocating protein powders or bars. 

Chart prepared by IIT Bombay

MISCONCEPTIONS 

Parallel to nutritional education, the project confronts entrenched eating habits and widespread misconceptions about junk food, which are prevalent even among older demographics. IAS Karanwal highlighted the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels in rural areas – ailments often dismissed as inevitable due to modern lifestyles.

However, Karanwal refutes this fatalistic view, pointing out that, despite continued agricultural labor, changes in dietary habits have introduced these health issues.

Understanding the mathematics behind protein: District’s workforce attending meeting with a chart for calculating protein on the desk

THE PROJECT

To combat this, the project involves a systematic training program for health workers at Ayush wellness centers, directing them to focus on preventive health measures. These centers, traditionally focused on promoting yoga, are now also emphasizing the importance of diet, equipped with detailed charts that explain the protein content in various foods, both local and otherwise. They are now educating individuals about dietary practices, including the mathematics of protein intake.

She said, “In rural settings, there’s a prevalent consumption of readily available fried foods, exacerbating health concerns. This realization prompted the initiation of our project.” 

The administration has undertaken comprehensive training for the entire healthcare workforce, including Ayush wellness centers. She said, “We’ve provided people with detailed charts explaining the protein content of local and other foods, enabling them to calculate and plan their diets accordingly.”

Ms Karanwal attending an administrative meeting with her colleagues

WIDE REACHING IMPACT 

The initiative’s scope is broad, with educational programs being conducted in schools, colleges, hospitals, and Anganwadi centers across the district. Wherever the National Child Health Program team visits, they advocate for this nutritional project, encouraging adoption at the community level. The program also features prominently in hospital OPDs, where patients receive guidance on both what to avoid and suitable alternatives.

Ms. Minal emphasized that the project doesn’t just focus on what foods to avoid; it explains why they should be avoided. Moreover, it provides healthier alternatives. This holistic approach forms the core of the entire project.

RESPONSE

The early response from the district, particularly in rural areas, has been overwhelmingly positive, albeit surprising, given the general lack of awareness about nutrition. Recognizing the challenges of dietary change, Ms Karanwal has initiated the implementation, starting with her workforce, where even small adjustments like banning sugary tea in meetings are encouraged to foster healthier habits.

A MODEL OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH

Ms Karanwal’s project is not just a health initiative but a transformative movement towards preventative healthcare. By integrating the expertise of IIT Bombay to simplify and clarify the role of nutrition in daily life, Karanwal hopes to inspire a shift in how rural populations understand and approach their eating habits, ultimately leading to a healthier community resistant to the lifestyle diseases that plague our modern society.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Image Yoga Day NBCC
Yoga Mahakumbh & Meditation Workshop: NBCC Commemorates 11th International Day of Yoga with Holistic Wellness Initiatives
IAS Prasanth N
Controversy Deepens Over IAS Officer Prasanth’s Suspension Extension Despite Panel Clearance
Indian Bureaucracy News Latest
ACC Extends Central Deputation Tenures of Ajai Kumar Verma and Kushagra Mittal
Screenshot 2025-06-21 202516
CM Yogi Leads International Yoga Day Celebrations in Gorakhpur
Indian PSUs Yoga Day 2025
Indian PSUs Lead the Way: Massive Participation Marks 11th International Yoga Day Across Public Sector
Jammu&Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir: 27 Officers Promoted to Time Scale of JKAS; Safiya Abdullah Among Them - Check Order Here
Uttar Pradesh UP Government
Uttar Pradesh Launches ‘Urban Green Policy’ to Combat Climate Change and Promote Sustainable Development
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-21 at 8.03
Yoga for One Earth, One Health: NLC India Celebrates 11th International Yoga Day with 10,000 Participants in Neyveli
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
What ill-fated pilots of AI171 may have gone through in those 40 seconds before the crash? Intro:
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview
Monika Singh
The Civil Servant Who Finds Peace in Poetry
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Ravinder Nandal IDES
IDES Ravinder Nandal's Story of Self-Made Success
Balancing fatherhood, full-time jobs, and six UPSC attempts, Ravinder Nandal’s story is one of perseverance,...
Shailendra Choudhary UPSC
Daily Routine, Optional, Essays & More | Shailendra Choudhary Breaks It Down
Shailendra Choudhary, AIR 362 in UPSC 2024, shares how focused preparation, self-made strategies, and...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Image Yoga Day NBCC
Yoga Mahakumbh & Meditation Workshop: NBCC Commemorates 11th International Day of Yoga with Holistic Wellness Initiatives
IAS Prasanth N
Controversy Deepens Over IAS Officer Prasanth’s Suspension Extension Despite Panel Clearance
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT