Linguda: A Monsoon Gift from the Himalayan Forests

During the monsoon season, local markets across Uttarakhand come alive with a unique seasonal food called Linguda. Found growing wild in the forests and stream banks of the Himalayan region, Linguda is much more than just a vegetable. It is a part of local food heritage, traditional knowledge, and sustainable foraging practices.

Linguda (Diplazium esculentum) is commonly referred to as Vegetable Fern, Edible Fern, or Fiddlehead Fern. It is widely found in the Himalayan and Northeastern regions of India, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Assam. The fern is also naturally distributed across parts of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and other South Asian countries.

Linguda is a wild edible fern that thrives in moist forests, marshy lands, and along stream banks during the rainy season. Communities living in the hills traditionally collect these tender young shoots from forests and nearby water sources and sell them in local markets. The vegetable is highly valued for its taste, nutritional richness, and medicinal significance. People use this for preparation of Traditional curries and stir-fries, Pickles, Pakoras (fritters), Mixed vegetable preparations, Regional delicacies with local spices and herbs.

Despite being low in calories, Linguda is packed with essential nutrients. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This provides essential micronutrients like: Vitamin A – Supports vision and immune health, Vitamin C – Acts as a powerful antioxidant and boosts immunity, Folate (Vitamin B9) – Essential for cell growth and development, Potassium – Helps regulate blood pressure, Iron – Supports healthy blood formation, Calcium and Magnesium – Important for bone and muscle health, Manganese – Plays a role in metabolism and antioxidant defence. Approximate cooked Linguda contains near about 30-40gms Calories, Protein: 4–5 gms, Fiber: 3–4 gms, Carbohydrates: 5–6 gms,  Fat: <1 gms

Consumption of such rare fruits can derive major health benefits like:  Improve digestive health, support blood purification, helps in relief from constipation and general nutritional supplementation during monsoon. These are traditionally used in folk medicine, though they are not substitutes for medical treatment. These wild fiddlehead ferns are not eaten in raw form. Proper cooking reduces the risk of digestive irritation and removes naturally occurring compounds that may cause stomach upset.

Linguda is a wonderful example of how traditional communities have sustainably utilized wild food resources for generations. As interest in local, seasonal, and nutrient-rich foods continues to grow, such indigenous vegetables deserve greater recognition for their contribution to nutrition, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods.

Karonda: The Indian Berry Packed with Nutrition and Health Benefits

Karonda (scientifically called Carissa carandas), a popular seasonal produce widely grown in some parts of India. Karonda is a small berry that grows on a thorny shrub and  popularly known for its two-tone look, featuring a mix of creamy white and vibrant pink or red colour. The fruit tests incredibly tart and sour in raw form while it develops a slightly sweet undertone only when it becomes completely ripe. Depending on the region, its name changes and referred as Karaunda, Karamcha, or Bengal currant.

 

People rarely eat this fruit like the regular barriers in raw form because of its intense sourness. It is commonly used for making Pickles and Chutneys along with green chillies & spices, Jams and Jellies because the natural tartness pairs perfectly with sugar to make sweet spreads, Garnishers by using it as a cheaper substitute for cherries on cakes and desserts by processing, sweetening, and dying it into deep red.

 

The fruit has high nutritional value with rich in carbohydrate, dietary fibre, protein, fat, Vitamins and Minerals. 100 grams of fresh Karonda can provide;  0.51 to 2.9 grams of carbohydrate, 0.62 to 1.81 grams of dietary fibre, 2.4 to 4.63 grams of Fat, 0.39 to 1.1 grams of Protein. In addition to this, the fruit is also rich in Vitamin such as: Vit-A & Vit-C and Macro minerals like: Calcium and Phosphorous.

 

Consumption of such rare fruits can derive major health benefits like:  Improve Digestion: The presence of water-soluble fibre (Pectin)  smooth bowel movement and reduce bloating. Manage Blood Sugar: The fruit has very low sugar content and low glycaemic load hence manage blood sugar. Reduce Inflammation: Presence of natural antioxidants built-in shields to keep heart & other organs safe from unwanted swelling hence and have long term health benefits.

 

With passing of times Indian consumers interest in nutrient-dense foods continues to grow and available in the market. Traditional fruits like Karonda offer an excellent opportunity to rediscover local, seasonal produce. Beyond its unique flavour and versatility, the fruit provides important nutrients and potential health benefits while supporting local agricultural biodiversity.

In a world where focus was on import of "superfoods," India's traditional and seasonal fruits like Karonda remind us of that nutrition often grows closer to home.

Public Distribution System in India: Evolution and Challenges Through the Lens of a Fair Price Shop Owner

Dharchula, a Himalayan border town in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, is located at an elevation of around 940 meters. Nestled along the Kali River—which forms the boundary between India and Nepal—the town lies nearly 90 km from the district headquarters and about 592 km from the state capital. The rugged Himalayan terrain, narrow mountain roads, and frequent disruptions due to landslides make accessibility a major challenge, limiting the reach of various development programs.

 

Mr. Singh in his FPS-Dharchula

During my recent visit to Dharchula, I had the opportunity to interact with a Fair Price Shop (FPS) owner, Mr. Narup Singh, who has been managing the shop for over 45 years. Through his experience, he has been a key contributor in ensuring the distribution of essential commodities to the local community. Mr. Singh also shared his insights with the WFP team on the evolution of the Public Distribution System (PDS) over the decades.

 

The roots of India’s food distribution system date back to the pre-independence period, particularly during World War II (around 1942), when rationing was introduced to tackle food shortages in select urban aeras. Since then, the system has undergone several phases of transformation—from “Post-independence Expansion” supported by PL-480 imports to the current “Digital Reform Era”, marked by initiatives such as One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC), Aadhaar authenticated distribution.

 

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Singh shared that he has distributed a wide range of commodities over the years, including rapeseed, palm oil, khand (unrefined sugar), rice, wheat, kerosene, and salt. While the nature of commodities and distribution mandates has evolved with time, his commitment to serving the community has remained constant.

 

However, he also highlighted several challenges faced by FPS owners, particularly in hilly regions. Migration from these areas has led to a gradual decline in the number of ration cardholders, directly impacting their earnings and commission. Additionally, commissions have not been revised adequately over time, and rising inflation has further reduced the motivation of FPS owners. Although digital reforms have improved transparency and accountability, the associated operational costs are largely borne by the shop owners themselves. Poor internet connectivity in remote and mountainous areas further complicates the implementation of digital systems.

 

Mr. Singh emphasized that for the PDS to remain effective and sustainable, especially in hard-to-reach regions, there is a need for greater policy attention toward the challenges faced by FPS owners. Strengthening last-mile delivery mechanisms, revising commissions, and providing targeted support for hilly areas could significantly enhance the efficiency of the system.

Convergence Between Central and State Government Programs: A Real Field Experience

 

Mr. Vinod Chandra, FPS Chundai, Pauri Garhwal

Pauri Garhwal is one of the picturesque hilly districts of Uttarakhand, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayan range. Lansdowne—one of the state's renowned hill stations—attracts people from across the country who visit to enjoy its rich flora and fauna. The town is also home to the headquarters of the Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army, popularly known as the Snow Leopards.

During a routine field visit to assess the implementation of the Fortified Rice Program, I had the opportunity to conduct my first monitoring-cum-supportive supervision in this region. As per plan, I visited several Fair Price Shops (FPS), government godowns, schools, and Anganwadi centres. The coverage includes 7 FPS shops, 2 godowns, and 5 schools.

Among these, one visit stood out: the FPS at Chundai village with FPS ID: 106100700010.

Chundai, located 10–15 km from Lansdowne, serves as a gateway between the Jaiharikhal and Rikhanikhal blocks of Pauri Garhwal. What makes this village unique is that the distribution of essential commodities under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) is managed not by a typical ration shop—but by the local Post Office.

While the Indian Postal Department functions under the Ministry of Communications (Government of India), TPDS is overseen by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs (DoFCS&CA), Uttarakhand. Yet, in Chundai, these two systems have seamlessly converged for over 35 years.

The Chundai Post Office not only facilitates communication and financial services but also distributes essential food items to the community. A total of 185 cardholders (75 SFY, 98 PHH, and 12 AAY) depend on this arrangement. Additionally, children from five nearby schools rely on this post office for essential commodities like rice and other food grains.

At the heart of this remarkable convergence is Mr. Vinod Chandra, the Postmaster of Chundai. His dedication, coordination, and proactive approach have made it possible to harmonize the efforts of two
different departments, ensuring uninterrupted access to government schemes for the local population.

This experience is a powerful example of how effective convergence between Central and State government programs can enhance service delivery—especially in remote and challenging terrains.

National Seminar on Food Fortification to Combat Anaemia and Other Micronutrient Deficiencies

Inauguration of Monograph

Micronutrients are essential vitamins and minerals required by the human body in very small quantities for proper growth, development, and functioning. Unlike macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, they do not provide energy but play a vital role in metabolism, immunity, and cellular repair. Broadly, micronutrients are of two main types — vitamins and minerals.

 

Micronutrient deficiency, often referred to as “hidden hunger,” occurs when the intake or absorption of essential vitamins and minerals is insufficient to maintain good health. Even individuals consuming adequate or high-calorie diets may suffer from these deficiencies if their diet lacks nutritional diversity.

 

Address by CMO-DOFCS&CA

India, as a developing nation, faces the triple burden of malnutrition—undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies. The primary causes include poor dietary diversity (heavy dependence on cereals), poverty and food insecurity, inadequate public health and sanitation, socio-cultural practices, and limited nutritional awareness. The major micronutrient deficiencies prevalent in India include Iron Deficiency (Anaemia), Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD), Zinc Deficiency, and Vitamin D and Calcium Deficiency.

Address by Dy.Commissioner-FDA

To address these challenges, the Government of India has implemented several national programs such as the National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI), National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), Vitamin A Supplementation Programme, Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), and various Food Fortification Programs.

In alignment with these national efforts, different departments of the Government of Uttarakhand have undertaken specific initiatives. To reduce the prevalence of anaemia, the Department of Food and Civil Supplies launched a Rice Fortification Program on a pilot basis in 2021, which was subsequently scaled up to all districts in 2022.

 

Address by Unit Head, UNWFP

To supplement these efforts and raise awareness on food fortification, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)—as part of the Technical Support Unit (TSU)—in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), organized a National Seminar on Food Fortification. The TSU team coordinated with various stakeholders, including academicians, researchers, students, technical experts, and government officials from agencies such as FCI and FSSAI, to participate in the event.

The seminar featured discussions on the fortification of staple foods such as rice, wheat, salt, oil, and milk, as well as other food items like fruits and vegetables, highlighting both the advantages and challenges of fortification. The program concluded with poster and oral presentations by students and researchers, followed by a formal vote of thanks delivered by the TSU team.

Team engaged in organization of the National Conferenece

Transformation of Fair Price Shops (FPS) into Jan Poshan Kendras: Possibilities and Challenges

FPS Shop in Mussoorie

During World War II, particularly in the 1940s, the British colonial government introduced a Rationing System in India to combat food shortages, control inflation, and stabilize prices while ensuring availability of essential food grains. This laid the foundation stone of the Fair Price Shop (FPS) commonly known as Ration Shops.

Post-independence, this system was institutionalized under the Public Distribution System (PDS). With the introduction of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, FPS outlets were licensed to distribute subsidized food grains and other necessities to eligible households. Over time, the system evolved into the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), shifting the focus from poverty alleviation to ensuring Food and Nutritional Security.

 

Evolution of FPS in India

Over the last seven decades, the PDS system and particularly the FPS have undergone significant reforms:

v  From supply of basic food grains to fortified staples and packaged foods

v  Major strides in technology adoption:

     §  Automation & Digitization: Digitization of Ration Card, Aadhar authentication (epos), Online order and inventory mgmt.

§  Supply Chain Optimization: GPS tracking of Food Grain, Demand forecast

§  Enhanced beneficiary service and experience: Mobile App for accessing information, Jan Poshan Kendra, Grain ATM 

 

Jan Poshan Kendra (JPK):

Fair Price Shop, Mussoorie

To further enhance the reach and impact of FPS, the Government of India has introduced the concept of Jan Poshan Kendras. The aim is to transform FPS outlets into Community Nutrition Hubs Govt. of India in partnering with the state Govt. started offering not just subsidized food grains, but also Nutritional awareness, Fortified foods, Millets, Pulses, Iodized salt, and many more. A major step in this connection includes the universal distribution of fortified rice (enriched with Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin B12) to promote better nutritional outcomes.

Voices from the Field: A Visit to Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

During a recent field visit to Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, I interacted with several FPS owners to understand ground realities. One significant challenge highlighted was regarding the distribution of unprocessed Finger Millet (Ragi); currently provided at 1 kg per ration card. Upon cleaning and processing, the quantity reduces a lot and make it unviable for the small-scale flour mills because of low recovery rates. This practical challenge makes implementation difficult at the grassroots.

Another pressing concern is related to dealer benefits. FPS owners in Uttarakhand receive a bonus/dividend of ₹180 for quintal of sales, from which they are expected to cover electricity, rent, internet and other operational costs. In Hill Stations areas like Mussoorie, where shop rents exceed ₹10,000/month, and with a lower beneficiary base and no Anatyodaya cardholders (poorest poor supplied with more ration 35Kg), the income from FPS operations remains minimal and leading to demotivation and high dropout among FPS dealers.

Way Forward

To ensure meaningful transformation of FPS into Jan Poshan Kendras, we need to focus on:

·       Expanding the product mix: food Grains, Millets, Oil, Pulses, Salt

·       Increasing the quantity and quality of supplied items

·       Capacity building of FPS owners through training and support

·       Strong IEC/BCC campaigns to raise awareness about nutrition and healthy diets

·       Performance-based incentives and financial support for FPS owners, especially in underserved and hilly regions

Strengthening the PMPOSHAN Scheme through supply and awareness on Fortified Rice

Training of Teachers, Roorkee

Government of India has continuously evolved its school nutrition program, originally launched in 1995 as the National Program of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NPE) to Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme in 2003-04 and further rebranded in 2017 as PMPOSHAN, the program now has a stronger focus on nutrition outcomes.

Initial aim of the above programs was to increase school enrolment & attendance and combating classroom hunger while the program now targets in reducing malnutrition and improving the nutrition profile of school children. In this regard, additional nutrition programs, including the provision of milk, seasonal fruits, and millet, have been introduced.

Training of Teachers P. Garhwal

To address micronutrient deficiencies, the Government has adopted food fortification as a cost-effective strategy. This includes supplying fortified food products under various Govt. Schemes. In this connection supply of fortified rice across all three Food Safety Net schemes, including PMPOSHAN has been undertaken by the state. The rollout of fortified rice in Uttarakhand schools started during the second phase of implementation.

Challenges Identified

The UN World Food Programme (UNWFP) conducted monitoring visits to different schools as part of technical assistance to Govt. of Uttarakhand and observed that due to a lack of awareness, Fortified Rice Kernels (FRKs) were being discarded by school staff, preventing the intended benefits from reaching the children. To address this, UNWFP advocated for the orientation of teachers and Cook-Cum-Helpers (CCHs) on fortified rice.

 

Capacity Building Initiative:

Working closely with the PM-POSHAN team, a block-wise training schedule for all 95 blocks was developed. Over the course of two months, the UNWFP team, in coordination with the Technical Support Unit (TSU) from UPES-Dehradun, conducted rigorous training sessions. A total of 7,110 participants (teachers and PMPOSHAN in-charges) from 69 blocks across 11 districts were trained on the fortified rice program.

Next Step

The team continues to coordinate with the remaining areas to ensure complete coverage. With this initiative, we aim to reach 10,000-12,000 schools, improving nutrition awareness and ensuring the fortified rice program reaches the children who need it the most.