Avantha Foundation and Swaniti partner

•     Avantha  Foundation  and  Swaniti  partner  to  further  advocacy  efforts  to mitigate hunger and malnutrition

•   Initiative to engage elected representatives and other key stakeholders

•   Roundtable organised at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha

•     Odisha  Health  Minister,  Dr.  Damodar  Rout,  inaugurated  event,  MLAs attended

New Delhi/Bhubaneshwar:- Avantha Foundation and Swaniti, an NGO, have come together in a unique initiative to actively engage with elected representatives in Odisha, and share knowledge to build awareness on the critical issues of hunger and malnutrition. This is part of the Foundation’s larger objective to encourage  dialogue  and  catalyse  involvement  across  party  lines  to  address  these critical issues in different states in the country, so that elected representatives across India, as key policy makers, can drive and enact policies to mitigate hunger and malnourishment.

The consultative session was hosted today (Friday, December 13th) in Bhubaneshwar, and featured a roundtable discussion with MLAs. Avantha Foundation and Swaniti  plan to continue to engage with these MLAs over the next few years to strengthen their involvement in addressing these issues within their constituencies.

Titled the “Knowledge Seminar”, the roundtable was inaugurated by Dr. Damodar Rout, Honourable Health Minister of Odisha, who delivered the opening address. The event featured separate talks by leading experts on best practices in mitigating hunger and malnourishment, sharing of current status at ground level on these issues, and success stories from government officials and NGOs who have been implementing key programmes. The session included a discussion on next steps that could be initiated by MLAs on how they can take this forward. Avantha - Swaniti also made a presentation on how best to combat the menace of malnutrition.

The urgency in tackling the menace of hunger and malnutrition, and enabling policy change  to address the challenge, is underscored by the fact that as per the Avantha Foundation supported HUNGaMA Survey 2011, conducted in 112 rural districts of India, it was found that 42.3% children were underweight and 58.8% children were stunted, necessitating serious policy intervention to address the challenge.

About the Avantha Foundation:

The Avantha Foundation is a not for profit organisation established with the objective of making a sustained impact on the quality of life of communities by pioneering and advocating key development issues that are of national concern. The Foundation seeks to bring about systemic changes through strategic interventions, and by partnering with a broad range of stakeholders like NGOs, the government and multilateral agencies to help  usher  in  policy  level  changes  in  favour  of  the  underprivileged  and  the disadvantaged communities.

  About Swaniti Initiative:

Swaniti Initiative is an open governance initiative that focusses on bringing together the most promising ideas and talented professionals to support the work of progressive leaders, Members of Parliaments and Legislative Assembly, on developmental issues.

For more information please visit www.avanthafoundation.org

For further information please contact: Shravani Dang
VP and Group Head Corporate Communications
s.dang@avanthagroup.com

Avantha Foundation
B-14, Shangrila Garden, Bund Garden Road
Pune 411001 (Maharashtra)
Tel : +91-20-26166489, 26166289
Mobile : +919923861519 www.avanthafoundation.org