New Delhi : HL September 23, 2026
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Ministry of Ayush, organised the inaugural programme of the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026, focusing on the importance of dietary diversity, healthy eating habits and adequate protein intake.
The programme was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, with an emphasis on promoting informed dietary choices and better nutrition practices.
A nutrition pledge was administered under the leadership of Dr. Jyoti Keswani, Director (Additional Charge), MDNIY, who also served as the Chief Patron of the event. She underlined the need to increase public awareness about nutritious diets and healthy lifestyles.
An expert lecture on “Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein” was delivered by Dr. Swati Jain, Scientist ‘D’, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR). She explained that adequate protein intake should form part of an overall balanced and diverse diet.
Dr. Jain highlighted the importance of protein for tissue repair, immunity, muscle maintenance, and the production of enzymes and hormones. Referring to the ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements for Indians, she explained that the safe protein allowance for healthy adults is 0.83 grams per kilogram of body weight per day when the diet includes high-quality protein, while the requirement is 1.0 gram per kilogram per day for predominantly cereal-based diets with lower protein quality.
She also pointed out that protein requirements can vary depending on factors such as age, body size, physiological condition, physical activity and health status.
Emphasising dietary diversity, Dr. Jain encouraged people to include pulses, dairy products, soy, nuts and seeds along with cereals. She cited traditional Indian food combinations such as dal-rice, roti-chana, idli-sambar, dosa-sambar and khichdi as practical examples of complementary protein sources.
She also highlighted affordable protein-rich food options, including sattu, dal, roasted chana, peanuts and soy, making adequate nutrition more accessible for different sections of society.
Dr. Jain further advised that protein intake should preferably be distributed across meals instead of being concentrated in a single meal. For people practising Yoga, she emphasised that meeting the overall daily protein requirement and maintaining a balanced diet are more important than focusing solely on a post-exercise “protein window.”
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Khushbu Jain, Assistant Professor (Biochemistry), MDNIY, and conducted by Dr. Pawan Kumar, Assistant Professor (Yoga Education).
The event was attended by Md. Taiyab Alam, Communication and Documentation Officer and Deputy Director (I/C), MDNIY; Dr. I. N. Acharya, Programme Officer (Yoga Therapy); faculty members, students, officers and staff of the Institute.
As part of the month-long Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 observance, MDNIY will organise several awareness and outreach activities, including a nutrition quiz, poster-making competition, nutrition awareness programme for school children, and a community outreach programme on maternal nutrition and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY).
The observance will conclude with a Valedictory Programme on October 8, 2026, which will feature a poster exhibition, recognition of participants and an awareness session on Ayurvedic nutrition and healthy dietary practices.
