While the atmosphere was celebratory, the issue that brought Aamir to Nepal was just as grave: child stunting, one of South Asia greatest challenges.

In South Asia, 4 out of 10 children under the age of five have stunted growth due to chronic under nutrition. An estimated 28 percent children are born underweight, largely due to women’s poor nutrition before and during pregnancy.

In Nepal, almost 50 percent of children are malnourished.  “We can’t turn the issue around its head at once but the very least what we can do is reach out to women to follow the four steps,” said Aamir.

As the newly announced Unicef ambassador, Khan will be supporting the works to promote the right of South Asian children to nutrition, with a focus on ending stunting.

“Not only women, every member of the family should be united in their efforts to counter malnutrition. We can’t be free from the problems of malnutrition if we are not united,” said Aamir.

 Unicef Regional Director for South Asia Karin Hulshof said with the immense respect that Khan commands across South Asia, they hope his involvement will help hit home the point that infant nutrition is a serious issue.

 “We are convinced that Aamir will make lasting difference in the fight against child stunting, potentially, the biggest threat to children’s growth and development in this part of the world,” said Hulshof.

The 49-year-old actor also participated at the launch of the “1,000 Golden Days”, the government’s national nutrition campaign, along national cricket team captain Paras Khadka.

On Wednesday, Aamir had interacted with local health workers and women’s volunteer group of Pakadi Health Post in Kapilvastu.

He commended the works of volunteers at Pakadi and said, “Government should make sure that they can get compensated in some form or the other.”

PM invites Bollywood actor for next visit

The newly appointed Unicef ambassador for nutrition for South Asia and Bollywood actor Aamir Khan met with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala in Kathmandu on Thursday.

Congratulating Aamir for his new responsibility, Prime Minister Koirala said that South Asia is thoroughly backward in socio-economic development and involvement of a renowned celebrity like him in the field of curbing malnutrition could make a great difference. Though some substantive achievement has been made in the region on overall development of children, compare with developed nations, South Asia still needs to do more, said Koirala.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Khan said that over 40 percent children in Nepal and India are affected by malnutrition and called for an action to fight the condition that is caused by lack of nutritious diet.

Koirala also briefly touched upon Nepal’s contemporary politics where he mentioned that Nepal  is heading toward political stability, durable peace and development that will largely contribute in Nepal’s socio-economic improvement of the country. “I am very optimistic about the future of Nepal. As soon Nepal transforms, I hope the condition of children will change as well,” said Koirala.

Koirala also extended an invitation to Aamir to visit Nepal again. In response, the actor expressed his keenness to trek around Nepal. “I will definitely come to Nepal with my family,” said Aamir, who returned to India after completing his  three-day Nepal visit on Thursday afternoon.