Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India and Vedanta Group have come together to construct 4000 modern Anganwadis – “ Nand Ghar” in different parts of the country. The first ‘Nand Ghar’ was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Women & Child Development, Government of India, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on 24th June at Hasanpur village in district Sonepat, Haryana. Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group was also present at the inaugural ceremony. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, delighted at this unique partnership with Vedanta Group, entering into construction of 4000 “Nand Ghar” said, “Nand Ghar” will be developed in some of the high burden districts where the Ministry is proposing to launch the ‘National Nutrition Mission’ shortly. “Mission will involve more non-government partners contributing collectively to one common objective of eliminating malnutrition” she informed.

Under the Public-Private-Partnership model, Vedanta Group and Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India will share the cost of construction of the “Nand Ghar”, which would have prefab structures with solar power. The land for the “Nand Ghar” would be provided by the Gram Panchayats and the construction will be undertaken by National Building Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC). Speaking on the occasion Anil Agarwal, Chairman – Vedanta Group said, “Nand Ghar” is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative and will be Vedanta Group endeavour to provide a better environment to the children of India. Healthy children and empowered women will eradicate poverty and malnutrition, and make a prosperous nation. Our “Nand Ghar” project aligns with our honourable Prime Minister’s vision and commitment to provide quality education for children and skill development for women in the entire country,” Vedanta’s “Nand Ghar“ will act as a focal area for immunisation, gender sensitisation and maternal care. It also aims to enhance the learning environment through an e-learning module and skill enhancement program for women. The “Nand Ghar” centres are proposed to be run as a shared space in which 50% of the time will be devoted to children’s education and the remaining half will support women’s skill development, Anil Agarwal added. “This Nand Ghar model will provide targeted delivery of supplementary nutrition services along with related healthcare services for both mother and child including skill training for women,” said Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi. She also stressed on the need of having toilets in “Nand Ghar” for women to strengthen Swachh Bharat Mission. Emphasised on the need of first-of-its-kind Public Private Partnership, she said “ Many come to me with projects but do not turn-up, but Anil Agarwal has kept his promise”.

Vedanta Group’s philanthropic arm Vedanta Foundation has pioneered in the areas of child care. Since 2008, Vedanta Group has been time to time adopting Anganwadis for providing supplementary nutrition, primary education and health to underprivileged children. Recently it has signed an MoU with Rajasthan Government and adopted 3050 Anganwadi Centres. Out of these 1000 Anganwadi Centres would be converted into Model Anganwadi Centres with facilities of child friendly toilets as well. Aligning with the objective of child care, the Vedanta Group launched its campaign “Khushi” that is disseminating message on nutrition, primary education and health to deprived children and encourages individuals to take-up direct steps. Hindustan Zinc, Vedanta Group company in Rajasthan is running a unique project “Sakhi” to empower rural and tribal women and develop them as rural women entrepreneurs.