Village in Dharwad district gets modern anganwadi

Dharwad: Minister for mines and geology Vinay Kulkarni on Saturday inaugurated the Nand Ghar set up by Vedanta Sesa Goa in Maradagi village, Dharwad taluk, on Saturday.
Vinay commended Vedanta for the noble initiative under its corporate social responsibility. “It has indeed exceeded the expectations in terms of the infrastructure. I can see the smiles on the parents’ faces which is evident of their appreciation for having been bestowed with such a modern facility for their children,” he said.
Krishna Reddy, head, iron ore, Karnataka, Vedanta Sesa Goa, said it was gratifying for Vedanta to dedicate the first Nand Ghar to Karnataka and added that the project will ensure that more and more parts of rural India get the opportunity to become an integral part of the mainstream economy and ride this spirit of new found confidence.
Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative adds to the existing anganwadi model of the ministry’s Integrated Women and Child Development Scheme. The centre will act as a focal area for immunization, gender sensitization 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.
Nand Ghar has added benefits of round-the-clock electricity through solar panels, e-learning in a stimulating environment, clean drinking water through RO purifiers. They will run as children’s education and health centre. The structure has low lifetime maintenance cost, is spacious with ample light, and is fire, dampness and earthquake proof.
It offers amenities of smart education through interactive graphics, Hygienic toilets, Safe drinking water, a dedicate kitchen and storage space and will run on solar panel power. The cost of one Nand Ghar, involving an area of 780 sqft, is estimated to be around Rs 10 lakh.