DAY-NRLM Mobilises Over 10 Lakh Women to Reduce Excess Oil Consumption in Rural India

In a major nationwide health awareness initiative, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) organized a webinar titled “Organization, Health & Prosperity: Balanced Oil Consumption for a Healthy Heart and a Healthy Life” on 29 May 2026. The programme focused on raising awareness about balanced edible oil consumption amid growing concerns over obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and lifestyle-related health challenges in rural India.

The webinar brought together government officials, health experts, community leaders, and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from across the country, highlighting the important role of women-led community institutions in promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive healthcare practices at the grassroots level.

According to preliminary estimates, more than 10 lakh Self-Help Group members from all 34 States and Union Territories participated in the online event, making it one of the largest health-awareness engagements conducted through the DAY-NRLM network.

Addressing a Growing Rural Health Challenge

India is witnessing a significant shift in its public health landscape. While undernutrition continues to remain a concern in some regions, rural communities are increasingly experiencing rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

Recognizing these emerging challenges, DAY-NRLM has been actively integrating health, nutrition, and wellness awareness into its community mobilization efforts.

The webinar sought to educate rural households about the health risks associated with excessive consumption of edible oils and unhealthy dietary habits, while encouraging simple behavioral changes that can improve long-term health outcomes.

The initiative aligns with the broader objective of building healthier, empowered, and resilient rural communities through awareness, education, and collective action.

Senior Officials Emphasize Preventive Health

The webinar was chaired by Shri T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, in the presence of Smt. M.G. Jayasree, Joint Secretary, DAY-NRLM, and Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary (Rural Livelihoods), DAY-NRLM.

The event was attended by senior officials from the national and state levels, State Mission Directors, district and block-level officers, community resource persons, and SHG members from across the country.

In his opening remarks, Shri T.K. Anil Kumar highlighted that excessive use of oils and fats in everyday cooking has become a major contributor to the silent health crisis emerging in rural India.

He emphasized that the DAY-NRLM movement is not only focused on economic empowerment but also on creating healthier communities capable of leading productive and prosperous lives.

According to him, Self-Help Group cadres have evolved into trusted community leaders and change-makers who can influence social behavior and drive positive transformation at the village level.

Linking Health, Economy and National Well-Being

During his address, Shri Anil Kumar referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal encouraging citizens to reduce unnecessary consumption of edible oil, fuel, and non-essential goods.

He noted that such measures contribute not only to individual well-being but also to broader goals of economic resilience, resource conservation, and collective national welfare.

The Additional Secretary emphasized that healthier dietary habits can reduce healthcare costs, improve productivity, and strengthen household financial stability.

He urged SHG members to become ambassadors of healthy living and spread awareness within their communities regarding balanced nutrition and responsible consumption.

DAY-NRLM’s Unique Community Reach

Delivering the welcome address, Smt. M.G. Jayasree, Joint Secretary, DAY-NRLM, highlighted the unparalleled reach of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission.

She noted that DAY-NRLM today encompasses more than 91 lakh Self-Help Groups, connecting over 10 crore rural households, making it one of the largest women-led community networks in the world.

According to her, this extensive grassroots presence positions the mission uniquely to influence health and nutrition behaviors at the household level.

She pointed out that lifestyle-related diseases, once considered largely urban problems, are increasingly affecting rural populations as dietary patterns and lifestyles change.

The Joint Secretary stressed that SHGs have the potential to play a transformative role in promoting healthier cooking practices, balanced diets, and preventive healthcare awareness.

She encouraged community members to recognize that small changes adopted consistently across millions of households can produce significant public health benefits for the nation.

Expert Insights from ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition

The keynote expert address was delivered by Dr. Subba Rao M. Gavaravarapu, Scientist G and Head of the Nutrition Information, Communication and Health Education (NICHE) Division at the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

Dr. Gavaravarapu presented scientific insights into the relationship between dietary habits and rising health challenges across the country.

He highlighted that India currently faces a triple burden of malnutrition, comprising:

• Undernutrition

• Obesity

• Rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs)

According to him, unhealthy fat consumption is a major factor contributing to this growing health burden.

No Single Oil Is Perfect

Addressing common misconceptions about cooking oils, Dr. Gavaravarapu emphasized that no single edible oil can be considered ideal for all nutritional requirements.

He referred to the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines for Indians, which recommend rotating among different edible oils such as:

• Mustard oil

• Groundnut oil

• Sesame oil

• Sunflower oil

• Other locally available oils

This approach helps ensure a more balanced intake of different fatty acids and nutrients.

He advised that visible fat consumption should be limited to approximately 30 grams per person per day in a standard 2,000-calorie diet.

The recommendation reflects the need to balance nutritional requirements while reducing the risks associated with excessive fat intake.

Dangers of Repeated Heating and Ultra-Processed Foods

The nutrition expert also warned against common cooking practices that can increase health risks.

He advised that cooking oils should not be heated at excessively high temperatures for prolonged periods and that repeated reheating of oils should be strictly avoided.

Such practices can generate harmful compounds that may contribute to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Gavaravarapu also drew attention to the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods, which often contain unhealthy fats, excessive salt, and high levels of sugar.

He emphasized that reducing reliance on packaged snacks, sugary beverages, and highly processed foods is critical for improving public health outcomes.

Protecting the Health of Future Generations

Expressing particular concern about children’s dietary habits, Dr. Gavaravarapu noted that many young people are growing up consuming large quantities of chips, sugary drinks, and processed snacks.

He warned that the habits developed during childhood can have lifelong consequences for health and well-being.

According to him, the future health profile of the nation will depend significantly on the nutritional choices made by families today.

His message reinforced the importance of community-based awareness initiatives aimed at encouraging healthier food choices from an early age.

Community-Led Action Through Self-Help Groups

In her closing remarks, Dr. Vasudha Shukla, National Mission Manager, DAY-NRLM, thanked participants for their active engagement and urged them to convert the knowledge gained during the webinar into practical action.

She emphasized that small adjustments in daily dietary habits can lead to significant improvements in long-term health outcomes.

Dr. Shukla encouraged SHG members to continue discussions on nutrition and healthy cooking practices during monthly group meetings and community interactions.

She stressed that the true success of the initiative would depend on the ability of participants to carry the message beyond the webinar and into households across rural India.

Building Healthier Villages Through Collective Action

The webinar concluded with a shared commitment among participants to promote healthier lifestyles and balanced dietary practices within their communities.

The initiative reflected DAY-NRLM’s broader vision of integrating social development goals with livelihood enhancement efforts.

By leveraging the strength of women-led Self-Help Groups, the programme aims to create a grassroots movement that encourages healthier eating habits, prevents lifestyle-related diseases, and improves the overall well-being of rural families.

The central message of the webinar—“Good health begins in the kitchen”—resonated strongly throughout the discussions.

Participants embraced the spirit of “Sangathan, Swasthya, Samriddhi” (Organization, Health and Prosperity), recognizing that every positive dietary change, however small, contributes to healthier families, stronger communities, and a more prosperous nation.

As India continues to address both traditional and emerging public health challenges, community-driven initiatives such as this demonstrate the power of awareness, collective action, and women’s leadership in creating lasting social change.