Gadchiroli, June 6:In a landmark move to foster inclusive rural development, the Anil Agarwal Foundation’s flagship initiative, Nand Ghar, is set to modernize 100 Anganwadi centres in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. The Foundation, under Vedanta’s CSR wing, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zilla Parishad, Gadchiroli, in the presence of Maharashtra’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. This partnership reinforces the state’s commitment to bringing inclusive growth to its most underserved tribal regions.
The project aims to directly benefit 3,900 children under six years of age, along with over 1,700 women and adolescent girls, by providing essential services such as early childhood education, nutritious meals, primary healthcare, and skill development. Implemented in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, this initiative embodies the state’s vision to bridge development gaps in tribal areas through innovation and inclusive partnerships.
With the successful transformation of 25 Anganwadis in Thane into Nand Ghars, this new initiative builds on Vedanta’s commitment to improving child and maternal health. It aligns with India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Poshan 2.0, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 5 (Gender Equality), placing children and women at the heart of inclusive progress.
The upgraded centres will be equipped with vibrant BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) designs, LED TVs for e-learning, child-friendly furniture, and essential amenities like clean drinking water, electricity, and sanitation facilities.
Highlighting the significance of the partnership, Maharashtra’s Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis said, “Aligned with our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision, the Government of Maharashtra is dedicated to ensuring that every child is healthy, educated, and well-nourished. We also aim to empower women through skill development and livelihood opportunities. The transformation of 100 Anganwadis in Gadchiroli into modern Nand Ghars exemplifies the power of robust public-private partnerships. We look forward to scaling this impact-driven model across the state.”
Each Nand Ghar will operate in two daily shifts—mornings dedicated to early childhood education and nutrition for children, and afternoons focused on community programs including health awareness, micro-enterprise workshops, and skill training for over 600 pregnant and lactating women and 1,100 adolescent girls. This holistic approach aims to foster self-reliance and financial empowerment among rural women and girls.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd. and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd., who has championed the Nand Ghar expansion, emphasized the long-term vision: “Every child deserves a safe space to learn, and every woman deserves an opportunity to grow and lead. With the launch of Nand Ghars in Gadchiroli, we are making a meaningful stride towards bridging generational gaps. We remain committed to our vision of ‘Transforming for Good’ and look forward to working with the state government to improve health, nutrition, and education outcomes for women and children in rural Maharashtra.”
To ensure sustainability and maximize impact, Anganwadi workers will be trained to deliver e-learning content through LED TVs and tablets. Additionally, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) will undergo specialized training to enhance access to primary healthcare and improve community health indicators.
The Zilla Parishad, Gadchiroli, will play a key role in identifying eligible Anganwadis, appointing nodal officers, and ensuring proper maintenance and visibility of the modernized centres. A joint working group will oversee implementation and on-ground monitoring to ensure seamless execution.
With its focus on community empowerment and equitable access to services, this project aims to drive holistic rural development in Maharashtra’s tribal and underserved districts.
Nand Ghar has already established over 8,300 centres across 15 states, positively impacting the lives of millions of children and women. Recently, the project renewed its partnership with the Government of Rajasthan to establish 25,000 modern centres across the state. The launch in Gadchiroli marks yet another milestone in Nand Ghar’s journey towards a healthier, more educated, and self-reliant India.
About Nand Ghar:
Nand Ghar is a flagship social impact initiative of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, working to modernize Anganwadis and strengthen India’s early childhood ecosystem. With over 8,300 centres across 15 states, Nand Ghars provide safe learning spaces, nutritious meals, primary healthcare, and skill development opportunities to over 3.2 lakh children and 2.4 lakh women. Implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Nand Ghar aims to transform 7 crore children and 2 crore women across India’s 13.7 lakh Anganwadis, driving sustainable change for generations to come.
