Tech-Tonic: Birbhum DM Dhaval Jain uses AI mapping to tackle malnutrition

Malnutrition is one of the most alarming concerns in India and for IAS officer Dhaval Jain (2014 Batch) District Magistrate, Birbhum in West Bengal the fight against malnutrition begins by ensuring that families do not miss out the government support available to them. His approach focuses on using technology and better coordination between welfare schemes to make nutrition governance more targeted, predictive and family-centric.

The idea is built around a simple belief “No child should suffer from malnutrition because government benefits failed to reach the right household at the right time,” he quoted. To address this gap, the administration is working towards AI-enabled household mapping with convergence of welfare schemes to create a more coordinated approach to nutrition and welfare delivery.

Jain’s ambitious vision is “we aim to build India’s first predictive, family centric nutrition governance model, ensuring that every tribal child has an equal opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive”