Bhubaneswar: Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, led the state-level Breastfeeding Day observance at Loka Seba Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Thursday during World Breastfeeding Week 2026.
Addressing parents, infants, and senior state officials, Dr. Darswal highlighted the fundamental role of early childhood nutrition, exclusive breastfeeding, and modern technology in safeguarding child health across Odisha.
During the gathering at the department conference hall, Dr. Darswal emphasized that mother’s milk acts as a child’s initial natural immunization and forms the cornerstone of physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
She urged parents to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continue nursing alongside proper complementary foods up to two years. She also highlighted the critical responsibility of fathers and family members in supporting maternal health.
A major highlight of the gathering was a live demonstration by representatives from the Wadhwani Foundation, who showcased an artificial intelligence solution integrated with the Poshan Tracker. The technology allows frontline workers to measure a child’s height, weight, and key growth indicators quickly and accurately using mobile video capabilities.
Dr. Darswal commended the technological initiative while providing recommendations to further enhance its precision and field usability, noting that Odisha is set to pilot the system
Dr. Darswal commended the technological initiative and shared operational inputs to enhance its field precision as Odisha prepares to pilot the system. The meeting concluded with the distribution of nutrition baskets and child care kits to participating families alongside Director W&CD Smt. Monisha Banerjee and senior department officials.