By Bizodisha Bureau, New Delhi, June 25, 2015 : In a first of its kind Public Private Partnership [PPP], Vedanta Limited has joined hands with union ministry of women and child development [WCD] to modernise the Anganwadi infrastructure in the country.

Anganwadi is the service delivery unit established under the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS), the flagship programme of the ministry. WCD and Vedanta together will construct 4000 improved version of Anganwadi buildings called ‘Nand Ghar’ in different parts of the country.

“We are delighted that corporates as Vedanta have entered into this unique partnership to construct 4000 Anganwadis,” union minister for women and child development, Maneka Gandhi said while inaugurating the first Nand Ghar on Wednesday at Hasanpur village, in Haryana along with Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal,

The ‘Nand Ghar’ centre, involving an area of 780 sq ft will be under taken by National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC), a central government PSU, as per the WCD guideline. NBCC would coordinate with the respective state government for site allocation. Post construction, the constructed ‘Nand Ghar’ centres will be handed over to the respective Panchayat/ local urban body.

WCD and Vedanta will share the cost of construction of the buildings, which are prefab structures with solar power. The land for the Anganwadis will be provided by the Gram Panchayats.

“The ‘Nand Ghar’ is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative and will be Vedanta endeavour to provide a better environment to the children of India. Healthy children and empowered women will eradicate poverty and malnutrition, and make a prosperous nation. Our Nand Ghar project aligns with Prime Minister’s vision and commitment to providing quality education for children and skill development for women, in the entire country,” Agarwal remarked.

Under the Anganwadi programme, supplementary nutrition is provided to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years and to pregnant/lactating mothers. The main objective of ICDS is to fight the problem of malnutrition.

“The problem of malnutrition is a huge national challenge and the ministry is going to launch the national nutrition mission. This Nand Ghar model will provide targeted delivery of supplementary nutrition services along with related healthcare services for both mother and child including skill training for women,” the WCD minister asserted emphasising on the need for training of Anganwadi social workers and construction of Anganwadi buildings with proper toilets for women to further the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission.

‘Building as a Learning Aid’ a concept piloted by UNICEF, which will feature learning concepts embedded within the structure, will attempt to increase attendance of children. In addition, the Nand Ghar will be equipped with solar panels, TV, toilets and water supply, a Company press release said. ‎

Vedanta’s philanthropic arm, Vedanta Foundation –has already collaborated with over 3000 Anganwadi Centres in Rajasthan and Odisha by supplementing the services of the government and addressing the nutrition and as well as the educational needs of over 1 lakh children. This number is set to rise in the years to come.