Vedanta launches 'Nandghar' Anganwadis in Varanasi

Vedanta Limited, a diversified natural resources company has launched its most anticipated 'Project Nandghar' at Nagepur near Varanasi adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.

Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Smriti Zubin Irani dedicated Nandghar in one of its kind partnership with the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development, where the company will roll out 4,000 such model Anganwadis across the country, in the next two years.

A service delivery unit established under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) by the Government of India, the Nandghar is an extension of the existing Anganwadi initiative. Vedanta is committed to nation-building through child development and nutrition.

Vedanta has joined hands with the Government of India to transform Early Childhood Care and Education Centres, Anganwadis, in India.

On this occasion, Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani said that Anganwadi nourishes future of the country and it is heartening to know that the children - the future of our country will be polished at Vedanta's Nandghar via use of latest technology. While terming the Nandghar at the Prime Minister's Model Village as a unique initiative, she congratulated Vedanta for it.

"It is an important day for the country today as we are celebrating the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Inauguration of first Nandghar on this day is also a milestone event. Very soon, 4000 more Nandghars will be constructed and contribute in shaping up the future," said Smriti Zubin Irani.

"The Nandghar project aligns with the Prime Minister's vision and commitment to providing quality education for children and job creation through skill development for women, across the country.

The 'Nandghar' will be a game changer for poverty alleviation by delivering long term benefits to communities through interactive learning, healthcare and skills training in a world class infrastructure," said Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta.

The Nandghars will run as children's education and health centre in the morning and train women in vocational skills in the second half. This will be a revolutionary measure to eradicate malnutrition in children and create women entrepreneurs across India. An estimated 25 lakh community members children will benefit through this project each year.

Vedanta's philanthropic arm, Vedanta Foundation -has already collaborated with over 3000 Anganwadi Centers in Rajasthan and Odisha by supplementing the services of the government and addressing the nutrition and as well as the educational needs of over one lakh children.