‘Shri Anna’ initiative: CISF leads by example as millets make up 30% of security force’s meals
Milles often hailed as “the first cops” and “crops of the future” are a nutritional powerhouse
By Kedar Nadella
Milles often hailed as “the first cops” and “crops of the future” are a nutritional powerhouse
Hyderabad: In a significant stride towards MHA’s ‘Shri Anna’ mission for sustainable health in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has exceeded the target for millet consumption across its 434 units and formations across the country.
In a public note, the government said, this remarkable accomplishment underscores CISF’s commitment to the MHA initiative to promote their traditional nutritious grains, not just among its personnel but also their families and the wider citizenry.
What is the initiative about?
The journey to this achievement began with the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets,’ a testament to India’s persistent efforts. Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs mandated the inclusion of millets in the daily diet of all Central Armed Police Forces for the financial year 2023-24, with a specific target of 30 per cent Shri Anna (millets) in the daily diet of jawans for 2024-25.
CISF’s success is attributed to a multi-pronged approach covering all units:
Through daily roll calls, briefings, Sainik Sammelans and other meetings, jawans were consistently educated about the benefits of millets. Welfare activities actively involve family members, encouraging them to embrace Shri Anna in their home diets. Mille-based dishes are also making their way into government functions as healthy refreshments.
Shri Anna Sarathi–A culinary revolution: Aimed at innovative promotion, CISF has launched a unique booklet titled “Shri Anna Sarathi.”
This comprehensive guide features diverse millet recipes from across India, highlights the Forces’ efforts, includes feedback from cooks and even shares inspiring stories of health improvements among Force members who have adopted millets. A digital version is readily available on the CISF website, ensuring wide accessibility.
Training and Engagement: 100 per cent of CISF cooks have been trained in preparing delicious millet dishes. The Force has organised an astounding 1,110 seminars, webinars and workshops, alongside 662 lectures by dietitians and doctors, to impart knowledge and dispel misconceptions.
Millets Melas–A taste of health: CISF units have organised 335 highly successful exhibitions, or “Millet Melas,” offering the public and CISF families a practical demonstration of how easy it is to incorporate millets into their diets. These melas provide a crucial opportunity for people to taste a variety of millet-based dishes, effectively clearing any doubts and encouraging wider adoption.
Ensuring availability: To further facilitate consumption, millet products are now readily available in Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (Central Police Welfare store) outlets.
Milles, often hailed as “the first cops” and “crops of the future,” are a nutritional powerhouse. Their climate-smart grains require minimal water, fertilisers, or pesticides and are incredibly resilient to drought and insects.
While challenges like inconsistent supply chains and limited public awareness have historically hindered millet adoption, CISF’s extraordinary efforts are actively breaking down these barriers. By leading through example and empowering its personnel and their families with knowledge and delicious options, CISF is playing a pivotal role in the Government of India’s vision of promoting millets for the benefit of cultivators, consumers and the climate.
