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Odisha Govt Partners with Anil Agarwal Foundation to Upgrade Anganwadi Centres

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards improving the lives of preschool children and their mothers, the Odisha government has partnered with the Anil Agarwal Foundation to upgrade 500 Anganwadi centres in Jharsuguda district. The initiative aims to modernize these centres into state-of-the-art Nand Ghars as part of Vedanta’s flagship community program for women and children’s holistic development.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Children’s Day between the Anil Agarwal Foundation and the District Social Welfare Office (DSWO) of Jharsuguda. The signing ceremony, held at the MCL Community Centre in Beheramal, witnessed the presence of Odisha Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy, District Collector Aboli Naravane, and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, MLA Tankadhar Tripathy highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “This valuable partnership reflects a shared vision to enhance grassroots community resources. The upgraded ‘Nand Ghars’ will empower children and women, fostering meaningful growth in Jharsuguda’s communities.”

District Collector Aboli Naravane lauded Vedanta’s efforts, adding, “The ‘Nand Ghar’ initiative will not only create centres of learning but also provide safe spaces for the overall well-being and development of children and women. This MoU marks a significant step toward community empowerment.”

Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, expressed the company’s commitment to sustainable growth, saying, “Through the ‘Nand Ghar’ initiative, we aim to equip our younger generation and women with the tools for a brighter future. We are proud to collaborate with Jharsuguda’s authorities to ensure impactful, lasting progress.”

The MoU-signing event coincided with the Children’s Day celebration, “Dukan Jatra,” which drew over 3,500 participants, including students from 60 schools, community members, and Vedanta Aluminium’s employee volunteers. The event featured an Entrepreneurship Showcase with more than 60 student-run stalls offering self-made handicrafts and food items, fostering creativity and entrepreneurial skills among the youth.

This partnership underscores Odisha’s commitment to grassroots development, aiming to bring sustainable, inclusive progress to the region.


( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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