Rayagada, Odisha, February 18, 2025: In a significant stride toward strengthening early childhood care and women’s development in Odisha, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rayagada district administration to transform 100 Anganwadi centres into modern, fully equipped “Nand Ghars.” The initiative aims to provide enhanced learning environments, nutritional support, healthcare access, and skill development opportunities for women and children in the district.
The MoU-signing ceremony was attended by key officials, including Ms. Parul Patawari, Collector and District Magistrate, Rayagada, and Smt. Minati Deo, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), who highlighted the importance of such collaborations in uplifting communities at the grassroots level. The first phase of the project will focus on upgrading 15 Anganwadi centres in the Kashipur block to Nand Ghars, providing state-of-the-art infrastructure and comprehensive services. The remaining 85 centres across other blocks will be upgraded in subsequent phases, ensuring a phased yet impactful rollout across the district.
Smt. Minati Deo praised Vedanta Aluminium for its commitment, stating, “We welcome Vedanta’s support in transforming Anganwadi centres in the district. The Nand Ghar initiative is not just creating learning centres, but also safe spaces that nurture the holistic well-being of children and women. This MoU marks a significant step toward our shared goal of community empowerment.”
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the company’s dedication to grassroots development, noting that social initiatives are central to Vedanta’s ethos. “We are committed to creating a positive and lasting impact in the regions where we operate. Vedanta’s flagship social impact project, Nand Ghar, plays a crucial role in empowering women and strengthening the foundation of early childhood education. Partnering with the Rayagada district authorities allows us to collectively build a brighter future for the next generation,” he said.
Launched in 2015 under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation in partnership with the Government of India’s Ministry of Women & Child Development, Nand Ghar offers a holistic range of services. These include pre-school readiness programs for children under six, nutritious meals and take-home rations for pregnant and lactating women, and healthcare support through auxiliary nurse/midwives (ANM). The program also focuses on women’s skill development, equipping them with training that can improve livelihoods.
Currently, around 500 Nand Ghars are operational in Odisha, positively impacting over 18,000 children and 5,000 women across eight districts. The centres are equipped with solar lighting, water purifiers, sanitation facilities, BALA (Building as Learning Aid) paintings, and nutrition gardens, ensuring a safe, healthy, and engaging environment for learning and development. The expansion into Rayagada represents a continued commitment by Vedanta Aluminium and AAF to comprehensive community welfare, highlighting the transformative power of sustained public-private collaboration in fostering education, health, and women empowerment.
