Contents: Foreword. 1. Child Development and Nutrition: Challenges in India. 2. Combating the Nutrition Challenge:Developing an Inclusive Strategy. 3. Child Development and the ICDS Scheme: Transforming the Scheme into a Mission. 4. Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme: Convergence for Nutrition. 5. Creating Awareness: Nation-wide IEC Campaign Against Malnutrition. 6. Early Childhood Care and Education: Developing a Policy and Framework. 7. Planning for Action: Addressing the Implementation Challenge in ICDS Scheme. 8. Reforming the Management Information System: Strengthening Information Management and Outcomes Monitoring.9. Rapid Survey on Children: Baseline for Measuring Results. 10. Looking Ahead: Calling for Action to Effect Rapid Change. Annexes. References. The book encapsulates policy and programme reforms and concurrent initiatives recognising early childhood development as the cornerstone of the nation’s overall well-being for holistic human development. It reflects upon the arduous processes undertaken to make such humongous and path-breaking efforts a reality. This treatise gives a rare peep in process driven approach by laying-out and reiterating the areas that need improvement and greater attention in respect of India’s problem of childhood under-development and under-nutrition which has remained one of the most discussed issues in recent times. The work offers a peek into the world of strategic planning in social developmental arena. Key contours of a joint strategy paper to addresses India’s nutrition challenges which led to the first ever decision of the Prime Minister’s Nutrition Council and several policy decisions are elaborated. It reflects the pursuit and persistence required in promotion of inclusive, equitable and contextualised opportunities for optimal child development at National level. It also lays some key priorities, convergences, pathways and the way forward for strengthening and carrying out early childhood development and nutrition efforts. The book lays emphasis for greater momentum and energy to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through the missions of the Nutrition, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) to attain holistic child development.