New Delhi, Jan. 8 -- The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has a flair for naming its schemes and laws creatively, often using backronyms-an acronym designed to mimic a word - like Shakti, Shanti, Poshan, Prashad, or Mishti. Mint takes a look at a dozen of them and the programmes they represent.

Earlier known as the Mid-day meal scheme for children in government schools, the Modi government in 2021 created the backronym POSHAN, standing for Poshan Shakti Nirman. With an allocation of Rs.1.3 trillion over the period of FY21-26 and the Centre covering about a trillion rupees, this is one of the largest government interventions in India.

POSHAN is a good example of backronyms, where designers come up with an acronym that is als...