9th December 2024: In a significant step towards improving child development and women empowerment, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Diya Kumari, today visited the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya, Jaipur which has been developed as a model Anganwadi by the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta. The initiative to develop this model aligns with the government’s vision to strengthen Anganwadis in the state of Rajasthan and uplift child and maternal health, nutrition, and pre-primary education, while also empowering rural women economically.
Recognizing the importance of this initiative, the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya has been acknowledged by the government as a leading model for Anganwadi transformation. It serves as a benchmark for future developments, setting a high standard that can be replicated to expand the reach and impact of Anganwadi programs across the state.
During her visit, Smt. Diya Kumari interacted with the children, encouraging them as they recited poems and shared their learnings. She also praised the Anganwadi worker, Mrs. Maya, for her dedication and expertise, particularly for her effective use of the Poshan Tracker. Further, she also inspected the Anganwadi kitchen, facilities, and Poshan Vatika. She urged replicating the Nand Ghar model across all Anganwadi centers in the state.
Nand Ghars are equipped with a range of modern amenities including solar power or grid electricity, clean drinking water, and sanitation facilities. Additionally, resources such as television and digital infrastructure to promote e-learning and smart education for pre-primary children are also provided at Nand Ghars. Moreover, the Nutri-garden, recreational toys and swings further enrich the learning environment at Nand Ghar, supporting the holistic development of children.
Since its inception in 2015, Project Nand Ghar, a flagship women and child development initiative by the Anil Agarwal Foundation, has aimed to modernize Anganwadi centers across India. With over 3500 Nand Ghars already established in Rajasthan, the project has positively impacted the lives of over 1,20,000 children and 90,000 women in the state. To date, more than 6,500 Nand Ghars have been established in 15 states, positively impacting more than 2,50,000 children and 1,90,000 women.
The new model Anganwadi centres, like the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya, will continue to integrate best-in-class facilities and services to serve as a benchmark for community resource centres across Rajasthan. This initiative reflects a commitment to bridging the urban-rural gap and advancing the overall socio-economic development of the state.