Kalahandi (Odisha) [India], January 15: In a bid to enhance early childhood care and education in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Kalahandi district, Vedanta Aluminium’s Anil Agarwal Foundation has undertaken a landmark initiative by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) to upgrade 100 Anganwadi centres into state-of-the-art “Nand Ghars” aimed at serving the prime purpose of women and child development.
The MoU-signing ceremony was graced by Mr. Sachin Pawar, Collector & District Magistrate, Kalahandi, Mrs. Mujibun Nisha, District Social Welfare Officer, Kalahandi, and the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) from all blocks of the district.
As part of this initiative, 50 Anganwadi centres from Lanjigarh, Thuamul Rampur, and M. Rampur blocks will be upgraded into “Nand Ghars” ensuring enhanced infrastructure support and services for early childhood development, while the remaining 50 Anganwadi centres will simultaneously be upgraded across other blocks in Kalahandi district.
Appreciating Vedanta’s efforts, Mrs. Mujibun Nisha, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Kalahandi, remarked, “We welcome Vedanta’s support in transforming Anganwadi centres in the district. The Nand Ghar initiative is not just creating learning centres, but also building up 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.”
Emphasizing Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to the requisite grassroots-development, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta, we are dedicated to fostering sustainable and inclusive growth in the communities we serve. Nand Ghar, our flagship community development programme, focuses on achieving zero hunger and strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem in India.”
“We are proud to collaborate with the Kalahandi district authorities to expand our network of Nand Ghars in the region and bring to life our vision of driving lasting, meaningful progress in the region,” quipped Mr Gupta.
Key Highlights of “Nand Ghar”
Launched in 2015, Nand Ghar is Vedanta’s flagship community initiative, developed under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation in collaboration with the Government of India’s Ministry of Women & Child Development.
Nand Ghar offers holistic services in the areas of education by providing pre-school readiness to children under 6 years of age, wholesome nutrition through nutritious meals and take-home rations for pregnant and lactating women, improved healthcare through ANM staff (auxiliary nurse/midwives) and skill development through training programmes for women.
At present, there are around 200 Nand Ghars functional in Odisha, impacting over 7,000 children across 127 villages, supporting comprehensive community welfare through facilities such as solar lights, water purifiers, toilets, BALA paintings and nutrition gardens that focus on the holistic development of a child.
Notably, Vedanta Aluminium is committed to driving community development through strategic initiatives in education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture.
Thus, these initiatives underline the company’s commitment to positively impacting lives within and beyond its operational areas. Through close collaboration with local authorities, welfare organisations, and community members, Vedanta Aluminium actively contributes towards the socio-economic transformation of Odisha.
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