Mothers in Assam have introduced a concept called “buddy mothers” to combat malnutrition. The concept involves healthy mothers becoming buddies to malnourished children in the same anganwadi center. This concept is now included in the new standardized protocol for managing malnutrition in children, jointly prepared by the ministries of women and child development and health and family welfare. It also emphasizes the role of community, including panchayats, in addressing malnutrition.