PIPAL: People’s Initiative for Participatory Action for food Labelling

Celebrating Partnership: A Step Towards a Healthier World Date: February 22, 2024 Author: Lenin Raghuvanshi, Chief Functionary/CEO, JanMitra Nyas Dear Advocates for Health, I am delighted to share with you the culmination of a significant milestone in our journey towards promoting cardiovascular health and protecting the well-being of children and mothers. Today, I received a letter from Ms.Pamela Sumner Coffey jee, Vice President of Global Operations at Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, confirming the closeout of our project, "Consolidating collective voices for strong FoPL regulation to protect child and maternal health." First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, particularly to Ms. Pamela Sumner Coffey jee and the entire team, for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the duration of this project. Your belief in our vision and your commitment to improving global health have been instrumental in driving our efforts for...

Prof. Sanjay Paswan was honored by the renowned artist Mr. Dheerendra Sisodia at the PVCHR office. Team of PVCHR, Jan Jagriti Trust and All India Brahmin Mahasabha with Prof Sanjay Paswan  Citation of JanMitra Award to Prof. Sanjay Paswa n Prof. Sanjay Paswan was honored by the renowned artist Mr. Dheerendra Sisodia at the PVCHR office. Prof. Sanjay Paswan received the JanMitra Award from Pandit Rakesh Ranjan Tripathi, Vice President of the All India Brahmin Mahasabha, UP chapter, at the PVCHR office. Dr. Sanjay  Paswan , Member of legislative Council of Bihar, a distinguished Indian BJP politician and former Minister of State for Human Resource Development in the Vajpayee government, has long been a staunch advocate for marginalized communities, particularly the Dalits. His unwavering commitment to social justice and grassroots activism has earned him prestigious awards such as the JanMitra Samman, recognizing his significant contributions. On February 12, 2024, Prof. Sanjay ...

PVCHR and PIPAL strategically engaged social media influencers like Mr. Parvez Ahmed and Mr. Shashi Pratap Singh, whose combined followership of 44.2K catalyzed discussions on warning labels FOPL and NCDs after sharing news of their Jan Swasthya awards. The 'Jan Swasthya Mitra Samman' not only celebrates their commitment but also acknowledges their prowess as influencers, heralding a new era of impactful public health advocacy. PVCHR and JanMitra Nyas extend heartfelt congratulations to these advocacy stars, inspiring change and awareness in the digital age. Twitter post by Parvez Ahmed garnered 5,490 views, 23 retweets, and 183 likes, while Shashi Pratap Singh's Facebook post received 2 shares, 8 comments, and 34 likes. PVCHR blog: Recognizing Advocacy Champions

In commemoration of Republic Day, a powerful message was published in the Hindi Daily, emphasizing the critical need for the immediate implementation of Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) to effectively curb the rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).  

On January 30, 2024, a remarkable event unfolded to honor the enduring legacy of Mahatma Gandhi while addressing contemporary health challenges. The meticulously orchestrated " Sankalp Yatra for Health Protectio n" aimed to cultivate community engagement and raise awareness regarding the significant benefits of Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) as warning labels. This initiative spanned various regions, including the Badagaon, Pindra, Harhua, and Arajiline blocks of Varanasi, Aligarh, and Koderma in Jharkhand. Following the yatra, a small public meeting provided a platform for a distinguished intellectual to shed light on Mahatma Gandhi's life journey, offering insightful perspectives within this context. Members of the Block Development Council, ICDS workers, Food Inspectors, and the National President of the National Equal Party actively participated in the Samvad. The event garnered substantial media attention, with coverage from 8 print media outlets, 4 YouTube channel...

  O n January 30, 2024 , in honor of Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, the meticulously organized "Sankalp Yatra for Health Protection" aimed to foster community engagement and raise awareness about the significant benefits of warning label Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL). This initiative unfolded across various regions, including the Badagaon, Pindra, Harhua, and Arajiline blocks of Varanasi, Aligarh, and Koderma in Jharkhand. The primary objective of this endeavor was to confront the prevalent issue of ultra-processed packaged foods in globalized world. These products often lack adequate labeling regarding salt, sugar, and saturated fat content, leaving consumers unaware of the potential health risks associated with their consumption. Advocates emphasized the urgent need for FOPL implementation, advocating for mandatory warning labels on such items to safeguard public health. During the event, stakeholders presented the latest data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS...

 We are thrilled to announce that our advocacy efforts at PVCHR have garnered attention from BBC Hindi, one of the leading news platforms. Thanks to the tireless dedication of our media consultant, Mr. Abhishek Chanchal, and the collaborative efforts of our team, we are proud to share special stories published by BBC Hindi. These stories shed light on our mission and initiatives aimed at promoting human rights, particularly in the realm of health advocacy. Through in-depth coverage and insightful narratives, BBC Hindi has provided a platform to amplify our message to a wider audience. You can access these special stories through the following links: [Link 1] https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/czv5y15y2v7o [Link 2] https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/cl4x8y5r1gko [Link 3] https://www.bbc.com/hindi/articles/cn0q971lwgwo Furthermore, we are excited to share that a special interview featuring Mr. Abhishek Pratap, a key member of our team, has been recently broadcasted on BBC Hindi. This...

  On February 7, 2024, in Patna , a significant public dialogue took place at the Kasturba Gandhi Assembly Hall within the premises of the Gandhi Museum. The event, which saw participation from 85 individuals, was organized by a coalition consisting of the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), People’s Initiative for Participatory Action for Food Labelling (PIPAL), All India Hawkers Forum, Bandi Adhikar Andolan, and Indian Roti Bank. The primary focus of this gathering was to advocate for "Warning label Front-of-Package Labeling" as a means to address the rising concerns of non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, and obesity. In a historic move, all political parties in Bihar have come together to endorse the Patna Declaration, a significant step towards safeguarding children's health by advocating for Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) on packaged food items. This groundbreaking agreement, signed on February 7, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the fight aga...

  Patna Declaration: Civil Society Recommendations for the Manifesto of Political Parties in the General Election 2024   In pursuit of safeguarding the health and well-being of millions of Indian children, youths, and women from the escalating risks of obesity and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, liver dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, and various cardiovascular ailments, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, advocate the following recommendations for inclusion in the manifesto of political parties:     1.Implementation of Strong, Science-Based Front-of-Pack Label (FOPL) Regulation:   A robust FOPL regulation, grounded in scientific principles and effectively enforceable, incorporating a Warning Label as its design, shall be declared, notified, and executed. This measure aims to empower consumers in making informed choices and protecting public health.     2. Identification of Unhealthy Processed Foods: ...