National, 14 November 2025:
This Children’s Day marks a major milestone for the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of the Vedanta Group, as its flagship initiative Nand Ghar has crossed the 10,000-centre mark across 16 states, positively impacting over four lakh children and three lakh women every single day.
Nand Ghar is revolutionising India’s Anganwadi network by transforming rural childcare centres into modern, technology-enabled learning and development hubs. Integrated with the Government of India’s ICDS program, which completes 50 years, Nand Ghar aims to strengthen early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare, and women’s skill development at the grassroots. Goa currently hosts 23 Nand Ghars.
Each centre is equipped with smart classrooms, digital learning tools, BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) features, reliable power supply, safe drinking water, hygienic sanitation, and child-friendly infrastructure—creating safe and engaging spaces for children aged 3 to 6. These centres also operate as community support hubs, offering hot-cooked meals, health check-ups, immunisation drives, and skilling sessions for women.
Sharing his vision, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal said:
“When we began the Nand Ghar journey, the dream was to ensure every child receives proper nutrition and education, and every woman gets the opportunity to become self-reliant. Crossing 10,000 Nand Ghars across 16 states brings that dream closer to reality. With the support of the Government of India, state governments, and local communities, we remain committed to transforming the lives of 8 crore children and 2 crore women.”
From Rajasthan’s deserts to Andhra Pradesh’s coastline, Nand Ghar centres are redefining village development. Over 80 lakh nutrition supplements have been distributed, while digital learning modules in regional languages strengthen school readiness. Regular health screenings and awareness campaigns have benefitted 90 lakh community members, and vocational training has enabled thousands of women to earn up to ₹10,000 per month—driving financial independence and social dignity.
Large-scale infrastructure upgrades have ensured that every Nand Ghar is digitally connected and sustainably powered, emerging as a replicable model for integrated rural development.
Sunita Devi, a Nand Ghar Didi from Rajasthan, said:
“Earlier, our Anganwadi was just a small room. Today it is the pride of the village. Children love coming here, and mothers trust us more than ever.”
Rekha, a mother from Odisha, shared:
“Nand Ghar changed my life. I learned new skills, began earning, and now I help other women too. When women grow, the whole community grows.”
Children’s Day celebrations were vibrant across centres this year, marking the 10,000-centre milestone with art, storytelling, and community activities.
With strong presence in Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and more, the initiative is now aiming to set up 25,000 Nand Ghars in Rajasthan within two years, impacting two million lives and strengthening public–private collaboration in rural transformation.
