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.
