PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo R&D launch ‘Bowl of Growth’

PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo R&D launch ‘Bowl of Growth’ 

program in partnership with MAMTA HIMC in Pune, Maharashtra

 

●        Launched under brand Quaker, the program will focus on providing nutrition and education for malnourished children in Pune, while increasing awareness of the critical issue in India

●        The program focuses on ‘Poshan right, toh future bright’ and will assess the impact of additional nutrition supplementation for 1,000 children

●        PepsiCo R&D team has developed a nutritious ‘Panjiri’ recipe made from Quaker Multigrain & Millet to be distributed among children marking the International Year of Millets

 

The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, PepsiCo R&D team and brand Quaker launched ‘Bowl of Growth’ a special nutrition focused program in partnership with NGO MAMTA HIMC in Pune, Maharashtra to provide 1,000 children aged 3 to 5 years with wholesome nourishment each day. The interventions under the Bowl of Growth program are designed with focus on three key pillars - Nutrition, Awareness, and Education

In India, about 1.5 million children under the age of 5 suffer from moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) as a result of inadequate dietary intake and infectious disease. To combat this issue and mark the International Year of Millets, ‘Bowl of Growth’ curated a locally acceptable recipe of ‘Panjiri’, from a millet and multigrain-based Quaker product, containing 18 additional micro-nutrients designed by PepsiCo R&D team specifically to the local needs of children from the region.

The program was launched by Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra at a special event in Pune. The program was also attended by Smt. Rubal Agarwal, Commissioner, ICDS, Government of Maharashtra, Shri Ayush Prasad, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Pune, Zillha Parishad, Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, R&D Life Sciences, PepsiCo, Anshul Khanna, Senior Director & Category Head – Foods, PepsiCo India, Mijanur Rahman, R&D Region Senior Director, PepsiCo India, Kareem Mohamed, International Programs Lead, PepsiCo Foundation, and virtually by Vikas Khanna, celebrity chef & Quaker India brand ambassador.

Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Minister of Tourism, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, said, “As we celebrate the International Year of Millets in 2023, the ‘Bowl of Growth’ program by PepsiCo Foundation and MAMTA, will help us take forward our Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of positioning India as the ‘Global Hub of Millets’. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and the Government of Maharashtra welcome this initiative and offer full cooperation to PepsiCo for this program. Such collaborations between the private sector, government, and civil society organizations are the perfect example of how we can create a positive health impact among the underserved communities of the state, by working together and focusing on a common goal.”

 

Dr. Pietro Antonio Tataranni, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President, R&D Life Sciences, PepsiCo, said, “Through our pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) commitment, we are focused on providing positive choices that are better for people and for our planet. The ‘Bowl of Growth’ program is an important step in our efforts with Quaker to support underserved communities in India through education and awareness of the issue of malnutrition, along with the importance of millet and other critical nutrients in a child’s diet.”

 

C.D. Glin, President, PepsiCo Foundation & Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo Inc., said, “At the PepsiCo Foundation, we have been working with our partners to combat food insecurity worldwide through various means, including delivering meals, helping food banks strengthen their operations, and supporting farmers with sustainable agriculture training. Food security is a global issue that requires innovative solutions that can be adapted and localized. Building upon learnings from a similar, successful program with malnourished children in Mexico, we are eager to partner with Mamta HIMC on improving access to childhood nutrition in Maharashtra.”

 

Ahmed ElSheikh, President, PepsiCo India, said, “At PepsiCo India, we believe that good child nutrition can make for a brighter, more prosperous future. Through brand Quaker, we have always focused on working towards bridging the nutrition gap and educating children on the importance of nutrition and active lifestyle. The ‘Bowl of Growth’ program will focus on three key pillars – nutrition, awareness, and education to bring a positive change and create lasting impact on children.”

 

Dr Sunil Mehra, Executive Director, MAMTA HIMC, “Undernutrition in children sets in over a period and when unaddressed timely, mild malnutrition may proceed into moderate (MAM) and severe malnutrition (SAM). Parental knowledge of red flags or warning signs for early identification of malnutrition is critical for parents to intervene or seek help. We are delighted to associate with PepsiCo Foundation for the ‘Bowl of Growth’ program and through various on-ground interventions and nutritional supplements we look forward to creating healthy and balance lifestyle impact for children of Pune.”

‘Bowl of Growth’ is an extension of PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) ambition and Food for Good philanthropic efforts to create a sustainable future for people and the planet - including by increasing nutritious food access for 50 million people by 2030.

The program will be implemented in Khed Taluka, near Pune city in Pune district of the state of Maharashtra where identified malnourished children will be provided with a nutritious supplement. The program will also include ongoing monitoring of the progress of the children to analyze the impact and nutritional recovery of the participants.

The program unveil was also accompanied with the launch of an illustrated comic book, designed to educate members of the target communities in an engaging format.

 

Note - As per the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition contributed to about 45% of deaths, globally, in children under 5 years of age until 2021. In India, malnourishment in children under 5 years which includes stunting, wasting and being underweight, has reduced as per NHFS-5 (2019-21) from 38.4% to 35.5%, 21.0% to 19.3% and 35.8% to 32.1% respectively as compared to NHFS-4 (2015-16). Management of mild to acute malnutrition through additional supplementary nutrition and counselling to caregivers has been found to be an effective strategy.

Varun-Anushka cycled for 10 hours

Varun-Anushka cycled for 10 hours daily in summer heat! 

 

Varun Dhawan plays an innocent tailor from heartland India in YRF's upcoming entertainer Sui Dhaaga – Made in India. The superstar essays the role of Mauji who dreams to make a name for himself. Rooted in heartland India, the film demanded it to be shot as authentically and as genuinely as possible. Cycle is the most common mode of transportation in small towns and director Sharat Katariya wanted Mauji to have a cycle to enhance the visual appeal of the location and the character.

“Mauji loves his cycle. He takes it everywhere he goes. Cycle is the most preferred transportation option in rural India and we had to include it because the cycle adds so much visual appeal to Mauji’s character. He chills on his cycle, he dreams on his cycle, he laughs, he cries on his cycle. Mauji and Mamta (Anushka Sharma) have some really beautiful moments with each other – bonding, talking and getting to know each other – when they go for the rides together. The cycle captures the beautiful, innocence of small town life and romance,” says Varun.

Anushka adds, 'We were in the peak summers of North India. I had to sit crossed legged on the cycle, which I was not used to. My body twisted the whole time cause I had to sit in a particular way. Sharat had said, never are you guys going to touch each other in the film, but I was somehow  holding the (seat) to save my life. We were sweaty, we were in aches and pains, my back was gone. "

Varun further adds, “We were shooting in the summer heat in Chanderi and Delhi and I was required to sometimes cycle for nearly  10  hours at a stretch. It was tough. I had to ride it daily for about 15 days and I was exhausted. There was a scene of Anushka and I falling down from the cycle. We fell right near the cliff and the crew came running to see if we were ok. For Mauji, the cycle is a symbol of struggle as well as aspiration. It is an invaluable addition to the character sketch of Mauji.”

A film about finding love and respect through self-reliance, Varun and Anushka have been paired for the first time and have become the most-awaited, freshest on-screen jodi of 2018. Sui Dhaaga - Made in India is set to release on September 28 this year. It brings together National Award winning producer-director combo of Maneesh Sharma and Sharat Katariya after their blockbuster Dum Laga Ke Haisha. The film is a special salute to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit that the youth of India and our local artisans have.

Varun-Anushka to celebrate homegrown entrepreneurs!

Varun-Anushka to celebrate homegrown entrepreneurs!

Mauji and Mamta, Aka Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma play homegrown craftsmen and small scale entrepreneurs chasing a dream for better life, wanting to take pride in their creations in YRF's upcoming entertainer Sui Dhaaga – Made in India. A film that brings together National Award winning producer-director combo of Maneesh Sharma and Sharat Katariya, Sui Dhaaga is a special salute to the inherent entrepreneurial spirit that the youth of India and our local artisans have. 

Maneesh Sharma says, “Our film is a celebration of entrepreneurship. The youth of the country is looking to stand tall on their own feet by using their talents. 

They are restless, disruptive and have a zing of entrepreneurship in them. Sui Dhaaga – Made in India champions that spirit. India is one of the youngest countries in the world and we have outstanding stories of success that will touch the hearts of everyone. Through our marketing campaign, we want to celebrate this young India that’s bursting with ideas and incredible talent.”

Varun adds, “We want to meet as many young entrepreneurs who are making a huge difference to the society they live in. We want to bring out their success stories so that they can be an inspiration for others.”

Anushka says, “We would like to meet these young entrepreneurs from across the country and celebrate the spirit of excellence in entrepreneurship.”

A film about finding love and respect through self-reliance, Varun and Anushka starrer Sui Dhaaga - Made in India is a heart-warming story that celebrates the spirit of self-reliance. 

The film’s plot is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and takes a leaf out of the hugely acclaimed Make In India campaign. While Varun plays the role of a tailor, Anushka plays an embroiderer in the film. 

Both champion actors, Varun and Anushka have been paired for the first time and are definitely the most-awaited on-screen jodis of 2018. 

The National Award-winning, dream-team of director Sharat Katariya and producer Maneesh Sharma seems to have taken the bar of perfectionism several notches higher with the looks they have crafted for their leading actors.

Yash Raj Films’ entertainer Sui Dhaaga - Made in India is set to release on September 28 this year, just before Gandhi Jayanti.