Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
These centers serve as a primary point for healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education for children up to the age of six.
Pic: Social Media
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed his officials to start the Hot Cooked Meals scheme for the Anganwadi children during the upcoming auspicious festival of Sharadiya Navratri. He held a review meeting with the Bal Vikas Sewa Evam Pushtahar Vibhag (Child Development Service and Nutrition Department) along with the Women’s Welfare and Child Development Department.
The objective behind this move is to offer nutritious meals to children attending these Anganwadi centers. As per official statements, hot-cooked meals coupled with seasonal fruits will be provided under this initiative targeting children aged three to six years.
Pic: Social Media
The CM directed the officials to make efforts to boost enrolment and attendance at the Anganwadi centers that operate on the line of pre-primary. Adding further to the statement, he issued directives to relocate the centers, currently being operated from rented spaces, into their own buildings and expedite the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and assistants on vacant posts.
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A type of rural child care center in India, it basically is a non-formal preschool education system that prepares them for formal schooling. The name “Anganwadi” is derived from the Indian words “Angan” (courtyard) and “Wadi” (nursery), which roughly translate to “courtyard shelter” or “courtyard play center.” These centers were established as a part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, which was launched in 1975 by the Government of India.
These centers serve as a primary point for healthcare, nutrition, and early childhood education for children up to the age of six, as well as for expectant and nursing mothers. They play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition, promoting early childhood development, and providing health and nutrition education to families, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged areas of India.
Pic: Social Media
Key services provided by Anganwadis include:
- Supplementary nutrition: Anganwadi centers provide supplementary nutrition to children and pregnant or lactating women to combat malnutrition.
- Immunization: They help in the immunization of children to prevent diseases.
Health check-ups: Regular health check-ups for children and women to identify health issues early. - Non-formal preschool education: Basic early childhood education is provided to children to prepare them for formal schooling.
- Health and nutrition education: Mothers and caregivers receive information on proper nutrition and healthcare practices.
- Community awareness: They help raise awareness of various health and welfare programs available to the community.
Emphasizing on the location of such centers, UP CM further stated that they should be established alongside parks in residential areas. These buildings should be built with the help of CSR funds from private companies, urban development funds, and contributions from affluent individuals. In case of insufficient funding, additional financial support could be sought from the government.
Pic: Social Media
Typically operated by local women from the same community, such organizations are supported by government funding. These centers play a vital role in improving the health and well-being of children and women in India, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare and education may be limited.
Currently, 12,800 Anganwadi centers all over the State are being operated from a rented space that needs to be shifted to urban premises in their own buildings. He also directed officials to start the recruitment procedure for 24,473 vacant posts of Anganwadi workers and 26,007 posts of Anganwadi assistants, which should be filled soon.
