‘From old houses to fully equipped facilities: CM Patel highlights progress of Anganwadis

Youll not only get appointment letters, but youll also get a document of responsibility to make each child of Gujarat healthy and strong, said Vadodara MLA Vakil.It is our responsibility to provide poshan nutrition, sanskar values, and to teach children to become good human beings, she said.Anganwadi workers will have to take care of childrens nourishment until they turn two, Vakil added.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday said that Anganwadi centres in Gujarat earlier operated from old houses, panchayat buildings, and temples, but have now become fully equipped facilities.

He was speaking at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar after handing over appointment letters to more than 9,000 newly recruited Anganwadi workers and helpers.

"Anganwadi centres operated from old houses, panchayat buildings, and temples. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, fully equipped Anganwadi-Nandghar facilities were constructed across Gujarat, resulting in over 53,000 operational centres today," Patel said.

In a lighter vein, he said, "I'm happy to see so many women here, but there's pin-drop silence." The CM said the state government, inspired by PM Modi's vision of nation-building through women empowerment, is committed to providing nutrition and healthcare for mothers and children, as well as early childhood education.

He said, "PM Modi always tells me that Anganwadi workers have a huge role in the development of children. Anganwadi is the first stepping stone in shaping a child's life." Anganwadi workers and helpers nurture children like Mother Yashoda, taking on the responsibility of instilling values and shaping them into future citizens, Patel said.

The chief minister recalled that Modi had honoured Anganwadi workers by referring to them as "Mother Yashoda" and renamed Anganwadi centres as "Nandghars".

During the ceremony, Patel also launched the e-inauguration and foundation-laying of around 170 new Anganwadi centres and said that the state plans to build more than 10,000 new Anganwadis in the coming years.

He also highlighted initiatives such as the distribution of fortified, flavoured milk to children in tribal areas under the Doodh Sanjivani Scheme, the Poshan Sudha Scheme, which provides a protein-rich diet to pregnant women, the Take-Home Ration programme, and the Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Scheme.

Additionally, the 'Mukhyamantri Poushtik Alpaahar Yojana' has been started for more than 41 lakh children from Anganwadis to primary schools, he said.

Minister for Women and Child Development Manisha Vakil was also present.

"You've not just been appointed to a government job, but you are joining a mission of nation-building. You'll not only get appointment letters, but you'll also get a document of responsibility to make each child of Gujarat healthy and strong," said Vadodara MLA Vakil.

"It is our responsibility to provide poshan (nutrition), sanskar (values), and to teach children to become good human beings," she said.

Anganwadi workers will have to take care of children's nourishment until they turn two," Vakil added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)