CISF’s “Shri Anna” Triumph: Millet usage rises to cross 30% of food consumption.
New Delhi : 05 June 2025: In a significant stride towards MHA’s ‘Shri Anna’
mission for sustainable health in CAPFs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
has exceeded target for millet (Shri Anna) consumption across its 434 Units
and Formations across the country. This remarkable accomplishment
underscores CISF’s commitment to the MHA initiative to promote these
traditional nutritious grains, not just among its personnel but also their families
and the wider citizenry.
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
on 04.05.2023 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% Shri Anna 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. Millet-based dishes are also making their way into government
functions as healthy refreshments.
“Shri Anna Sarathi” – A Culinary Revolution: In a testament to 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% of CISF cooks have been trained in
preparing delicious millet dishes. The Force has organized an astounding 1,110
seminars, webinars and workshops, alongside 662 lectures by dietitians and
doctors, to impart knowledge and dispel misconceptions.
“Millet Melas” – A Taste of Health: CISF units have organized 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 provided 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.
Millets, often hailed as “the first crops” and “crops of the future,” are
nutritional powerhouses. These climate-smart grains require minimal water,
fertilizers, 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.
This success story is a shining example of how consistent effort and innovative
strategies can drive positive change for health and sustainability across the
nation.
