Thane: Marking a transformative milestone in child welfare and women’s empowerment, Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative has officially entered Maharashtra with 25 centres in Thane, Mumbai. A flagship project of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, Nand Ghar, a modernised Anganwadi, is redefining rural development by providing early childhood education, facilitating nutrition, healthcare, and skill development opportunities for women. Designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), the initiative aims to uplift seven crore children and two crore women across India’s 13.7 lakh Anganwadis, integrating rural communities into the mainstream of progress.
In addition to enhanced infrastructural facilities, Nand Ghar incorporates smart education tools, interactive e-learning modules, BaLA designs, and smart TVs to make learning engaging for children aged 3-6 years. Each centre is equipped with child-friendly furniture, access to electricity, safe drinking water, and hygienic sanitation facilities, fostering a safe and nurturing environment. Beyond education, Nand Ghars combats malnutrition by facilitating fortified meals to children and essential nutritional support to pregnant and lactating mothers. Integrated healthcare services, including immunisation drives and routine check-ups, further strengthen community well-being.
In an industrially progressive State like Maharashtra, the need for modernised Anganwadis remains significant. The launch of the first Nand Ghar in Maharashtra represents a significant leap forward in tackling malnutrition, ensuring school readiness, and equipping women with financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills. With over 2,000 women and children already benefiting, Vedanta’s Nand Ghar is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more inclusive Maharashtra, where every child has a fair start in life and every woman has the tools to shape her future.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd., and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., visited the Vaghiwali Nand Ghar in Thane, engaging with the community members and children.
Reaffirming Vedanta’s unwavering commitment to social transformation, she remarked, “It is incredible to see Nand Ghar take root in Maharashtra, marking a new chapter in our journey of transformation. These centres are enablers of change, ensuring that children receive quality early education and nutrition, and women become self-reliant through upskilling initiatives. With the launch of Nand Ghar in Maharashtra, we are committed to scaling this model across the state, creating a lasting impact on communities and transforming lives.”
To empower women, Nand Ghar hosts specialised training sessions focused on skill-building, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, opening doors to self-reliance and economic independence.
Nand Ghar has developed over 7500 centres across 15 States, impacting millions of children and women through smart education, nutritious meals, healthcare, and skill training. In Maharashtra, the project aims to expand its reach with the development of more Nand Ghars. With ongoing collaboration between the government and private sector, Nand Ghar is paving the way for a brighter, self-reliant future for communities across the State.