Madhya Pradesh government’s ‘Adopt an Anganwadi’ campaign is showing encouraging results as many volunteers and participants are coming forward to adopt the Anganwadi centres run by the Women and Child department, across the state.
Under this initiative, the district administration of Harda recently renovated an old Anganwadi centre at Khijhiri forest village and gave it a fresh new look and made it bright, sunny, and comfortable, bringing smiles onto the face of the little children and their mothers.
Speaking with Indian Masterminds, DM of Harda, Rishi Garg, IAS, shared details about this initiative.
ADOPT AN ANGANWADI
In order to improve public participation in strengthening maternal and child heath across the state, the Madhya Pradesh government had inaugurated the campaign, Adopt an Anganwadi, throughout the state in January this year.
After the Chief Minister’s appeal to adopt an Anganwadi, many volunteers came up to do so and have registered in this campaign. Such donors/associates are being connected to the Anganwadis, to participate and help fulfil the basic needs and services of these centres. Through these centres, health and nutrition services are to be provided to children in the age group 3-6 years, and pregnant and lactating mothers.
In Harda district alone, there are a total of 699 Anganwadi centres. DM Rishi Garg said, “The government is constantly trying to make Anganwadi services more effective and child-friendly. Apart from the facilities available in the centres, social participation and awareness is necessary to fulfil other facilities. Our aim is to provide such an environment to the children coming to the centres so that their overall development is possible.”
WHAT ADOPTION ENTAILS
Under the adoption initiative, any person or organisation can adopt Anganwadi centres and provide cooperation in the following services.
Firstly, cooperation in meeting the basic infrastructure requirements or land for the Anganwadi building. The construction of a new Anganwadi building, construction of additional rooms, repair work, painting, construction of boundary wall, furniture of sustainable nature, and other basic services are to be fulfilled by the person or organisation adopting the centre.
Secondly, cooperation in meeting the individual needs of children. Anyone adopting an Anganwadi has to provide uniform, warm clothes, sweater cap, footwear, bag, toys, hygiene kit, etc.
Thirdly, cooperation in providing services like nurturing and nourishing malnourished children (SAM and MAM children), support in providing nutrition services (special diets and delivery of medicines).
ADOPTION OF DAMAGED ANGANWADI
Mr. Garg took on this responsibility of getting an old and damaged Anganwadi centre in Keljhri forest village renovated. “It was an amazing feeling to see the smiling faces of mothers and toddlers when we renovated the centre to create a model Anganwadi, under the Adopt an Anganwadi programme. This Anganwadi is in Khiljhri forest village, which is 100 per cent tribal populated,” Mr. Garg said.
Earlier, Timarni Anganwadi Centre was also adopted and renovated by the Collector, while, many other damaged Anganwadi centres have been adopted by other officers of the district and renovation work is under way.
“Once the Anganwadi centres are newly renovated and come into a good shape, we have to provide some basic amenities to the toddlers and mothers. Health and nutrition services are to be provided to children up to 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating mothers, and pre-school education to children of 3 to 6 years of age,” Mr. Garg said.
KHILJHIRI MODEL BEING REPLICATED
He further informed that the Khiljhiri forest village model is being replicated in other Anganwadi centres of Harda. Renovations are going on in the Anganwadis adopted by officers of various departments of the district. Solar system has been installed with public cooperation so that children get relief from the heat with fans. “The most important thing to be noted is that Harda district is probably the first district in the state where all Anganwadi’s have fans and lights,” Mr. Garg said in conclusion.
