Stay Real Stay Sober Navratra Arc  

 

WHAT does a “developed India” really mean if the food we put in our plates is not safe, if more young people fall into addiction and if basic health care is still far from families? A nation’s true progress is not measured by tall buildings or GDP growth. It appears in the health and well-being of the people who actually reside there. India has made progress in healthcare, but important challenges remain. In the National Family Health Survey-5, 35.5% of children under the age of five were stunted while 57% of women aged 15 to 49 were anaemic. These figures are more than numbers; they show the nutritional challenges that families across the country are facing. Another issue that concerns us directly in our daily lives is that of food adulteration.

 

In August 2025, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) confiscated around 6,500 kilograms of adulterated ghee with a market value of ?35 lakh from a dairy unit in Rajkot following laboratory tests that revealed vegetable fat. Maharashtra has seen a push on food safety under FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe. From June to August 2026, the State’s Food and Drug Administration carried out more than 12,000 inspections. They issued over 5,000 improvement notices. Took action by suspending 603 food licences. These steps are necessary and important. The real goal should be to make safe food the standard. Consumers should not have to worry about whether the food they eat is safe. The focus must shift toward making food safety an expected practice across all food businesses. Another challenge is substance abuse.

 

A national survey carried out by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and AIIMS in 2018 found that 5.7 crore people needed help for harmful or dependent alcohol use. Even though these survey numbers are not the latest, they show just how big the problem has been in India. The issue of addiction should not be seen as a personal weakness alone. It is important to focus on prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of such an issue. The families need to be assured that they will be free from judgement while looking for assistance. Issues of sexual health are also very significant. Teenagers need to know how to conduct themselves safely in terms of consent, boundaries and personal safety.

 

Laws like the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, the NDPS Act 1985 and the POCSO Act 2012 can be useful in offering protection. But laws will not suffice for getting rid of addictions and misconceptions. Mental well-being, healthy practices and freedom from substance abuse should be considered essential parts of health. It’s time that schools, families, and communities start considering these issues openly without any taboo associated with them. The festival of Navratri is all about strength, discipline, and triumph of good over evil. Let us bring that same spirit within us this year, as we embark upon the Navratri arc of our health journey. This Navratri, let’s reflect on our daily habits, talk with family, share with friends and spread awareness online. Small actions that are repeated consistently can create a lasting change. A healthier nation begins with us. Stay Real Stay Sober.