Tag: Anganwadi

Social

Vedanta’s Nand Ghar Surpasses 10,000 Centres, Empowering Women and Children Across 16 States

allycaralgoa

National, 14 November 2025:
This Children’s Day marks a defining moment in India’s social transformation journey. The Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the philanthropic arm of Vedanta Group, announced that Nand Ghar — its flagship initiative to modernise India’s Anganwadi ecosystem — has crossed 10,000 centres across 16 states, impacting millions at the grassroots.

Nand Ghar centres are redefining early childhood development and women’s empowerment through modern, technology-driven facilities aligned with the Government of India’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), which celebrates 50 years this year.

A Modern, Scalable Model of Community Upliftment

Each Nand Ghar is equipped with:

  • Smart classrooms & digital learning tools
  • BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) design
  • Safe drinking water & clean sanitation
  • Reliable electricity
  • Nutritious meals for children
  • Child-friendly furniture
  • Health check-ups & immunisation services
  • Skilling programs for women

There are currently 23 Nand Ghars in Goa, each functioning as a vibrant community hub.

A Vision Becoming Reality

Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal expressed pride and gratitude during the milestone announcement:

“The dream was simple — nutrition and early education for every child, and opportunities for every woman to stand on her own feet. Today, as we cross 10,000 Nand Ghars across 16 states, that dream is becoming reality. This movement is possible because of the support of the Government of India, state governments and local communities. We are committed to transforming the lives of 8 crore children and 2 crore women.”

Impact Across India

From Rajasthan’s deserts to Andhra Pradesh’s coasts, Nand Ghar is reshaping rural communities:

  • 80 lakh+ nutrition supplements distributed
  • Digital preschool education in regional languages
  • 90 lakh+ community members impacted through health awareness
  • Women earning up to ₹10,000 per month through skilling programs
  • Centres upgraded with sustainable and digital infrastructure

Voices From the Ground

Sunita Devi, a Nand Ghar Didi from Rajasthan, shared:
“Before Nand Ghar, our Anganwadi was just a small room. Today, it is the pride of our village.”

Rekha, a mother from Odisha, said:
“Nand Ghar has changed how our village sees women. I learned new skills, I earn, and now I teach others.”

A Children’s Day to Remember

Across states, celebrations included storytelling, art, and community gatherings — a joyful reflection of how deeply Nand Ghar has rooted itself in local life.

Looking Ahead: A Larger Mission

With strong footprints in states like Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Nand Ghar aims to:

  • Establish 25,000 centres in Rajasthan alone over the next 2 years
  • Impact 2 million lives through new community-driven interventions
  • Reinforce a replicable, public–private model for rural empowerment

With 10,000 centres complete, Nand Ghar stands as one of India’s most transformative grassroots movements — a model of what committed community partnership can achieve.

Social

Siddesh Shripad Naik Distributes School Uniforms at Golti Navelim Anganwadi

Tanisha Cardozo

In a heartfelt initiative aimed at nurturing early childhood education, Shri Siddesh Shripad Naik visited the Anganwadi centre at Golti Navelim Panchayat to distribute school uniforms to the young children enrolled there. The event brought together not just the children and their caregivers, but also key figures from the local governance structure, highlighting a collaborative spirit in community welfare.

Present alongside Siddesh Shripad Naik were Sarpanch Mario Pinto, Deputy Sarpanch Tanuja Kerkar, Panch Tanisha Pilernekar, Vishwas Durbhatkar, Sunil Mardolkar, and Ranjita Korgaonkar, among others. Their presence underscored the importance of collective effort in promoting the well-being of children and ensuring access to basic educational resources.

Uniforms, often a symbol of belonging and dignity in a school setting, can make a significant difference in a child’s confidence and motivation. Through this distribution, the initiative not only provided material support but also sent a powerful message of care and encouragement to families in the region.

The event marks another step in Siddesh Shripad Naik’s continued commitment to grassroots-level engagement, uplifting communities through targeted action and inclusive development. The smiles on the children’s faces spoke volumes, reflecting the joy and hope such initiatives bring to the heart of the village.

Health

Goa’s Women & Child Development Department Wins SKOCH Gold Award 2025 for Childhood Nutrition

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Women and Child Development, Goa, has earned the SKOCH Gold Award 2025 for its outstanding contribution to “Improving Childhood Nutrition through Anganwadi Services.”

The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Minister Vishwajit Rane calling it a proud moment for Goa. He emphasized that the recognition reflects the state’s dedication to ensuring that every child receives the right start in life through better nutrition and care.

“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering efforts in ensuring that every child receives the right start in life through better nutrition and care,” Rane shared on X.

The award acknowledges the department’s alignment with the national mission of nurturing a healthier and empowered generation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rane credited the achievement to Director Jyoti Desai, the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), and the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), whose tireless work has been instrumental in making the program successful.

He added that the award further strengthens Goa’s resolve to build robust systems that promote child well-being, gender equality, and inclusive development in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat.

The recognition places Goa among leading states that are innovating and strengthening grassroots programs in child nutrition and care through Anganwadi services, showcasing a model for other regions to follow.