Anemia is a silent epidemic impacting physical growth, mental and work capacity, and lives of current and future generations. All population groups in India are engulfed by anemia, with women and children affected disproportionately. Iron deficiency-anemia has been the biggest cause of disability for the past 10 years and has contributed towards 20 per cent direct and 50 per cent associated deaths in India. The economic burden of anemia is equivalent to about 4 per cent of GDP.