Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled a forward-looking health strategy aimed at building a healthier society, starting with children. Speaking at a high-level review meeting on district health indicators, the CM proposed introducing food habit education in school syllabi and outlined a series of lifestyle recommendations for families across the state.
As part of this health-first vision, Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need to instill better food choices from an early age. “What we eat shapes how we live. If we begin educating children now, we’re investing in a stronger, healthier Andhra,” he stated. The proposal to incorporate nutrition awareness in classrooms is expected to complement broader state initiatives in preventive healthcare.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to adopt simple lifestyle practices to reduce long-term health risks. He recommended a daily 30-minute walk to relieve mental stress and advised families to limit monthly consumption to specific amounts: no more than 600 grams of salt, 2 litres of cooking oil, and 3 kilograms of sugar for a family of four. He also promoted a return to traditional staples such as millets and unpolished rice, citing their nutritional benefits.
“Health isn’t only about hospitals—it’s about habits, discipline, and self-awareness,” Naidu said. Highlighting the global recognition of yoga and meditation, he encouraged their regular practice as tools for both physical and mental well-being.
A key part of this wellness push is digital. The NTR Trust’s ‘Nutriful’ app, with over 400,000 users, offers personalized diet plans to help citizens track and improve their eating habits. Naidu also praised the state’s progress in digital health, with Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts already created for nearly 88% of Andhra’s population.
Taking cues from other states, he pointed to Kerala’s move toward sugar-free meals in schools and Tamil Nadu’s distribution of glucose testing strips at ration outlets as examples worth emulating. He also cautioned against the long-term dangers of pesticide-heavy agriculture, calling for a gradual shift to natural farming methods. “Let’s not repeat Punjab’s mistake, where excessive pesticide use has taken a toll on public health,” he warned.
Also Read: Punjab launches Sikhiya Kranti as AAP pushes for better education and a drug-free future
In addition to these reforms, Naidu reiterated his concern about the state’s ageing population and encouraged young couples to plan for larger families, framing it as part of a broader demographic balance strategy.
With this multidimensional approach, Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a leader in health-conscious governance, blending tradition with technology to build a more resilient population.
