Editorial 1: Teaching children to eat well must begin in school
Context
Food literacy is now a necessity; the emphasis should move from merely feeding children to teaching them how to eat nutritiously.
Introduction
Last month, world leaders convened in Paris for the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit. During this event, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) also declared the extension of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, originally set for 2016-2025, to 2030. This extension aims to maintain global momentum in ending all forms of malnutrition and to better align efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Shifting Focus in Global Nutrition Efforts
- A turning point in nutrition to shift focus from food access to understanding what, how, and why people eat.
- Nutrition is linked to education, equity, and environmental sustainability.
- Efforts have focused on the first 1,000 days, but the next 4,000 days are equally important.
- Adolescent growth offers a second chance to address early childhood nutrition deficits.
- Shift from feeding children to teaching them how to eat well.
- The Paris summit side event highlighted the need for food and nutrition education in schools to support healthy choices.
Challenges in Children’s Food Choices Today
- Children are growing up in a world where food is easily accessible — ordered with a tap, delivered, and heavily marketed.
- Choosing what to eat has become increasingly complex.
- Most children lack the knowledge and skills to make healthy choices.
- Diets are shaped more by habits, peer influence, or advertising than by nutrition or tradition.
- Many children skip breakfast, eat too few fruits and vegetables, and consume excessive sugar and processed foods.
Importance of dietary diversity
- Dietary Diversity: A key issue is the lack of variety in children’s diets, which is crucial for obtaining all necessary nutrients. The UN has adopted Minimum Dietary Diversity as a global indicator under SDG 2 (End Hunger), asking if a child ate at least five of 10 food groups in the last 24 hours.
- Current Situation: In many places, including cities and villages in India, most children’s diets lack variety, leading to poor health and reflecting deeper issues in food systems and education.
- Health Consequences: Poor diets are linked to malnutrition, childhood obesity, chronic diseases like diabetes, and mental health issues. Research shows nearly 70% of preventable adult diseases are linked to habits formed in childhood, especially eating habits.
- The Need for Early Intervention: To address this, food and nutrition education must start early, and schools are the best place to establish healthy eating habits.
- Lack of Education: Food and nutrition education is often absent, outdated, or not connected to real life in most classrooms. Teachers frequently lack the necessary training and resources to teach it effectively.
- Need for a Structured Curriculum: A structured, age-appropriate curriculum should go beyond food groups and include lifestyle habits and environmental awareness, starting at preschool and evolving with the child.
- Curriculum Content: The curriculum should teach about the human body, the importance of diverse diets, and the impact of food systems on the environment.
- Promoting Bio-diverse Diets: A central focus should be promoting bio-diverse diets, which include local, seasonal, and culturally familiar foods, supporting better nutrition, local farmers, reducing environmental impact, and preserving traditional food knowledge.
It must be a part of school life
| Aspect | Description |
| Integrated Learning | Teaching children to eat well should be part of school life, not just occasional activities. |
| Weekly Lessons | Schools should have weekly lessons with age-appropriate materials. |
| Supportive Initiatives | Support with healthier canteens, kitchen gardens, and student-led campaigns. |
| Real-life Experiences | Real-life experiences build lasting habits and values around food and health. |
| Global Examples | Schools worldwide grow vegetables, cook meals, and teach about food’s impact on health. |
| India’s Progress | National Education Policy and School Health Programme allow integrated learning. |
| Need for Structure | A clear curriculum, weekly sessions, and trained teachers are essential. |
Conclusion
Children should be seen as learners and influencers. With the right knowledge, they can impact their families, friends, and communities—advocating for better meals, reducing food waste, and promoting healthy eating. Learning to eat well is about caring for health, respecting the planet, and becoming responsible citizens. In a world facing under-nutrition, overconsumption, climate change, and cultural loss, food literacy is essential. To raise a healthier, more compassionate generation, we must make food education a part of every child’s learning—starting today.
Editorial 2: A chance for India’s creative ecosystem to make waves
Context
WAVES 2025 will serve as a platform for emerging creators and entrepreneurs to launch their ideas and innovations.
Introduction
Despite global trade tariffs and market instability, India stands strong as a resilient economy. By using its young population and tech strengths, India can turn problems into opportunities and emerge as a global Creative Powerhouse. With its rich storytelling culture, the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector seeks to connect creators worldwide through the vision of ‘Create in India, Create for the World.’
India: A Rising Creative Powerhouse
- India has a growing population of young creators in fields like:
- Film
- Music
- Art
- Technology
- A standout example is Namit Malhotra’s DNEG, which created groundbreaking VFX for Dune 2, winning India its 7th Oscar, showcasing its rising global influence.
- The transition from traditional filmmaking to digital production highlights India’s capability in producing world-class content.
WAVEX: Empowering the Next Generation
| Initiative | Details |
| Name | WAVES Xcelerator (WAVEX) |
| Part of | World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 by Government of India |
| Date & Venue | May 2025, Mumbai |
| Purpose | Connect young creators with industry leaders, support startups |
| Support Offered | Mentorship, funding, global exposure |
| Target Sectors | Gaming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Metaverse |
M&E Sector Growth Forecast
| Year | Estimated Value (₹) |
| 2023 | 2,422 billion |
| 2027 | 3,067 billion |
Global Reach & Inclusion
- WAVES provides a platform for startups to showcase ideas to global investors.
- Focus on diversity and inclusion with support for women-led startups like:
- Lapwing Studios
- Vygr Media
Breaking Barriers for Startups
- WAVEX addresses key hurdles:
- Lack of capital
- Limited mentorship
- Restricted global access
- Offers:
- Financial support
- Structured ecosystem for scaling
- Having built Biocon from ₹10,000, I understand the power of such transformative platforms.
Art, Science & Culture: The Creative Core
- Supporting institutions like:
- Museum of Art and Photography (MAP)
- Science Gallery Bengaluru
- Belief: Art and Science both fuel innovation—artists on canvas, scientists in labs.
India’s Creative Edge
- India’s strength lies in the blend of:
- Young population
- Tech capabilities
- Cultural richness
- This synergy drives practical innovation in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector.
A Global Vision
- With a storytelling legacy that spans centuries, India is ready to become a global creative leader.
- From classical arts to immersive tech, a new era of innovation is here.
- The motto “Create in India, Create for the World” reflects this bold vision.
WAVES: Where Technology Meets Storytelling
| Aspect | Details |
| Core Vision | WAVES showcases the fusion of storytelling and cutting-edge technology. |
| WAVEX Focus Areas | Supports startups in: • Animation • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) • Gaming • Metaverse |
| WAVES Bazaar Scale | • 4,500+ sellers • 5,900+ buyers Connects Indian startups to global players |
| Goal | To position India as a global leader in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry. |
Innovators Driving Change
| Startup/Company | Innovation Area |
| Erucanavis Technologies | AI-driven playable ads—interactive advertising powered by AI |
| Amaze Studios | Storytelling through animation |
| Offline Human Studios | Immersive narratives via VR |
| InscapeXR | Ed-tech using immersive experiences |
| Vision Impact | Transforming learning with AR/VR-based media |
A vision for the future
- India has a deep legacy of culture and creativity.
- This spirit thrives in our youth, who are shaping the future across film, music, gaming, animation, and digital media.
- Young creators are breaking barriers and transforming creative industries.
- The Indian government supports this talent through initiatives like WAVES, promoting a vibrant M&E startup ecosystem.
- WAVES is more than funding—it’s an investment in storytelling, self-expression, and the creative economy.
- From biotech labs to digital studios, creativity is the key to building future industries and identities.
Conclusion
WAVES 2025 is not just a celebration of India’s media and entertainment (M&E) industry; it’s a starting point for the next generation of creators and entrepreneurs who are ready to change how the world experiences entertainment, education, and culture. As a member of the advisory board of WAVES, I feel proud to be part of this exciting journey. The impact of WAVES will go beyond just studios and companies—it will be felt in every story created, every startup that grows, and every new idea that breaks the rules. This is India’s time to lead a global creative revolution. Let’s ‘Create in India, Create for the World’ and show how powerful our imagination truly is.
