Mayor launches Anganwadi Kayakalp Abhiyan

 

 

In a major step towards strengthening foundation of early childhood care and education, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh has launched ‘Anganwadi Kayakalp Abhiyan’, a unique campaign aimed at transforming urban Anganwadi centres with the active support of social organisations. Addressing a press conference, the Mayor informed that for the first time, such a large-scale and innovative initiative has been launched with due support of community groups. Under the campaign, a total of 687 Anganwadi centres in Jabalpur will be adopted by various social organisations. In the first phase, 101 centres have already been adopted. The Mayor stated that within the next two months, all Anganwadi centres will be adopted and upgraded with essential facilities.

 

The initiative will ensure foundational educational resources for children and improved care for malnourished and severely malnourished (SAM) children. Highlighting the scale of the initiative, the Mayor said this is the first time Anganwadis are being adopted on such a large scale. About 25,000 children, pregnant women and nursing mothers are directly associated with the city’s 687 centres and the campaign will benefit as many families. He added that members of social organizations will now celebrate their birthdays, wedding anniversaries and commemorative family days like birth and death anniversaries by organising events and activities with children at Anganwadi centres. Leading by example, Mayor Singh has pledged to adopt 11 Anganwadi centres himself.

 

These centres will be equipped in accordance with government guidelines to ensure comprehensive child development. Under the campaign, each selected centre will receive 30 colourful chairs for toddlers, green boards, educational kits for pre-school learning, 30 stainless steel plates, 4 calendars, one water filter, storage cupboards, fans, lights and nutrition kits. Apart from that, members from the participating organizations will regularly visit and inspect the centres and interact with families of malnourished children to ensure due support. Mayor further informed that a special provision has also been made under the campaign to provide Nutri-kits to severely malnourished children. Each protein-rich Nutri-kit will include 2 kg moong dal, 1 kg peanuts, 1 kg jaggery, Amla candies and a packet of pure ghee to enhance their nutritional intake.