HYDERABAD, JUNE 12, 2025: In a significant stride towards MHA’s ‘Shri Anna Mission’ for sustainable health in CAPFs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has exceeded the 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 their 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. Mille-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 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 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. The 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.
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.
