Vedanta’s First “Nand Ghar” Inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, in a first-of-its-kind Public Private Partnership, has joined hands with the Vedanta Group to develop and modernise the Anganwadi infrastructure in the country. Anganwadi is the service delivery unit established under the Integrated Child development Scheme (ICDS), the flagship programme of the Ministry.

Every year, the Ministry keeps a separate budget to develop infrastructure of Anganwadis so as to improve the overall functioning. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) has been emphasising the need for these buildings, as places where the women in the villages can gather and discuss their issues and find solutions through collective action.

"The problem of malnutrition is a huge national challenge and the ministry is going to launch the national nutrition mission. 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, Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development.

She stated that, training of Anganwadi social workers and construction of Anganwadi buildings are essential components of the mission. “And we are delighted that corporates as Vedanta have entered into this unique partnership to construct 4000 Anganwadis," said Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development. She has also stressed on the need of having toilets in these buildings for women to further the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission.

“The ‘Nand Ghar’ is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative and will be Vedanta Group’s 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 providing quality education for children and skill development for women, in the entire country," said Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta.

Under the Anganwadi programme, supplementary nutrition is provided to children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years and to pregnant/lactating mothers. The main objective of ICDS is to fight the problem of malnutrition. In order to reach out to every corner of the country, a network of over 14 lakh Anganwadis have been established in every village, town, city and other habitations. These are manned by social workers who are trained for delivery of nutritional services and are paid an honorarium.

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WCD and Vedanta Group have come together to construct 4000 Anganwadi buildings in different parts of the country. The model Anganwadi, called ‘Nand Ghar’, is being inaugurated by the Minister for WCD along with Shri Anil Agarwal, Chairman of the Vedanta Group, on 24 June at Hasanpur village, District Sonepat, Haryana. Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has informed that the Anganwadis will be developed in some of the high burden districts where the Ministry is proposing to launch the National Nutrition Mission shortly. She informed that the proposal has already been submitted to the EFC after an in-principle approval by the Finance Ministry. She further informed that the Mission will involve more non-government partners contributing collectively to one common objective of eliminating malnutrition.

In this unique partnership, WCD and Vedanta will share the cost of construction of the buildings, which are prefab structures with solar power. The land for the Anganwadis will be provided by the Gram Panchayats and the construction will be undertaken by NBCC. These Anganwadis have been named as "Nand Ghar" by the Prime Minister and a singular design will be followed for these Anganwadis at all locations.

Through Vedanta Foundation – the philanthropic arm of the Group, Vedanta has already collaborated with over 3000 Anganwadi Centres in Rajasthan and Odisha by supplementing the services of the government and addressing the nutrition and as well as the educational needs of over 1 lakh children. This number is set to rise in the years to come.

About Nand Ghar

Vedanta Group’s ‘Nand Ghar’ initiative adds to the existing Anganwadi model of the Ministry’s ‘Integrated Women and Child Development Scheme’ and this centre 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.

‘Building as a Learning Aid’ a concept piloted by UNICEF, which will feature learning concepts embedded within the structure, will attempt to increase attendance of children. In addition, the Centre will be equipped with solar panels, TV, toilets and water supply.

The cost of one ‘Nand Ghar’ centre, involving an area of 780 sq ft, is estimated to be around Rs 10 lakhs. It is proposed to have a gap funding model where the WCD ministry will allocate a funding of up to Rs 4.5 lakhs per ‘Nand Ghar’ for its construction using eco-friendly material. Construction of the ‘Nand Ghar’ centres will be under taken by National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited (NBCC), a central government PSU, as per the guidance of the WCD Ministry.

The NBCC is a Navratna company having expertise in Project Management Consultancy (PMC), Real Estate Development & EPC Contracting. NBCC would coordinate with the respective state government for site allocation. Post construction, the constructed ‘Nand Ghar’ centres will be handed over to the respective Panchayat/ local urban body.

About Vedanta Foundation:

Registered under public charitable trust, Vedanta foundation, funded by Vedanta Group of Industries was initiated on 15th September 1992 for the development of the less privileged, Child care, Education, Health, Women Empowerment and Tribal welfare project. The Foundation is striving for the betterment of the underprivileged population of the country through focused social development programs culminating into transformation of one million lives each year.

The Foundation has a Vedanta Post-Graduate Girl's College at Ringus, Rajasthan and a Vedanta College of Management and Information Technology at Vitthalwadi, Mumbai that offers degree courses and imparts training into various vocational skills. Call centers have been installed at both the colleges to support the initiative of 'Earn While You Learn'. Vedanta's E-Shiksha @ Schools have been instituted in the interiors of various states catering to over 4683 government schools across India. Vedanta Gurukul provides primary education to children and the Anganwadi programme with over 76 centres across country is designed as a day-care to manage the children from 2-6 years. The MR and the disabled school for the differently abled children has also been established at Vitthalwadi and Bharatpur. The Foundation is actively involved in women empowerment programmes like Sakhi, and many others like Rojgar Avsar, Computer Literacy Centers. Umeed aims to train jail inmates with basic computer skills and provide them with suitable placement opportunities upon their release. The Foundation’s Charitable Hospital and Research centre is one of the notable contributions in Ringus, Rajasthan.  Prominent amongst the community welfare activities, Rajai Distribution and Mass Marriage ceremony have been conducted at a larger level by the Foundation

For more information please log on to www.vedantafoundation.org Or follow us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vedanta-Foundation/1554388198120043

About Vedanta Limited (Formerly Sesa Sterlite Ltd. /Sesa Goa Ltd.)

Vedanta Limited (Vedanta Ltd) is a diversified natural resources company, whose business primarily involves exploring and processing minerals and oil & gas. The Company produces oil & gas, zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power and has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Ireland, Australia, Liberia and Sri Lanka.

Vedanta Ltd, formerly Sesa Sterlite Ltd. /Sesa Goa Ltd., is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company. Sustainable Development is at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety and environment and on enhancing the lives of local communities.  Vedanta Ltd is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information please log on to www.vedantalimited.co.in

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