In a significant recognition of grassroots innovation in public health, Vidhya Parshuramkar has been honoured with the fourth edition of the prestigious Rohini Nayyar Prize for her transformative work in making nutrition sustainable and community-driven across rural India.
The award celebrates her remarkable contribution to developing nutrition models that are not only scientifically sound but also deeply embedded within community structures, ensuring long-term sustainability and local ownership.
A Community-Centric Approach to Nutrition
Parshuramkar's innovative methodology focuses on empowering local communities to take charge of their nutritional needs through sustainable practices. Her work demonstrates how traditional knowledge can be integrated with modern nutritional science to create effective, locally-relevant solutions.
What sets her approach apart is the emphasis on community participation at every stage, from planning to implementation and monitoring. This ensures that nutritional interventions are not just imposed from outside but become an integral part of community life.
Sustainable Solutions for Lasting Impact
The award committee particularly noted how Parshuramkar's model addresses multiple dimensions of sustainability:
- Environmental sustainability through local food systems
- Economic sustainability via cost-effective solutions
- Social sustainability through community ownership
- Cultural sustainability by respecting local traditions
This comprehensive approach has shown remarkable results in improving nutritional outcomes while building resilient community systems.
About the Rohini Nayyar Prize
The Rohini Nayyar Prize, named after the distinguished civil servant Dr. Rohini Nayyar, recognizes outstanding contributions to rural development in India. The award specifically honours individuals who have made significant impacts in improving the quality of life in rural communities through innovative and scalable approaches.
The selection of Parshuramkar for this year's award underscores the growing recognition of nutrition as a fundamental pillar of rural development and community wellbeing.
Her work serves as an inspiring model for public health professionals and development workers across the country, demonstrating that sustainable change emerges when communities become active partners in their own development journey.
