Bengaluru, 9^th June 2025: In a significant step toward inclusive rural development, Anil Agarwal Foundation’s flagship initiative, Nand Ghar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zilla Parishad, Gadchiroli, to transform 100 Anganwadi Centres into modern Nand Ghars in Maharashtra. The partnership was formalized in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, reinforcing the state’s commitment to bringing inclusive development to its most underserved regions.

This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, will directly impact the lives of 3,900 children under 6 years of age and over 1,700 women and adolescent girls. The mordernised centres will provide early childhood education, access to nutrition meals, primary healthcare, and skill-development, creating an opportunity for holistic growth and development. The project is a testament to Maharashtra’s commitment to bridging development gaps in tribal areas through innovation and inclusive partnerships.

With 25 Anganwadis in Thane, Maharashtra already transformed into Nand Ghars, this collaboration builds on the past success and aligns with India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Poshan 2.0. It also advances UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 (Quality Education), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 5 (Gender Equality) placing children and women at the center of inclusive progress.

The l modernize Anganwadi centres will feature vibrant BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) designs, LED TVs for e-learning, child-friendly furniture, and essential amenities like safe drinking water, electricity, and sanitation.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis highlighted, “Aligned with the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of Maharashtra is committed to ensuring that every child grows up healthy, educated, and well-nourished, while also empowering women through skilling, livelihood opportunities, and holistic development. The transformation of 100 Anganwadis in Gadchiroli into Nand Ghars is a testament to what strong public-private partnerships can achieve. We look forward to expanding this impact-driven model across Maharashtra.”

The Nand Ghars will operate in two phases throughout the day. Mornings will focus on early childhood education and nutrition for children, while afternoons will have community-focused programs including health awareness sessions, micro-enterprise workshops, and skill training for over 600 pregnant and lactating mothers and 1,100 adolescent girls, enabling them to become self-reliant and financially empowered. 

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd., and Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., who has been at the forefront of Nand Ghar’s expansion, emphasized the project’s long-term vision, said. “Every child deserves a safe space to learn, and every woman deserves a chance to grow and lead. With the launch of Nand Ghars in Gadchiroli, we are taking a meaningful step toward bridging gaps that have existed for generations. We are committed to our vision of Transforming for Good and hope to continue with the state government in improving health, nutrition and education outcomes for women and children in rural Maharashtra.” 

To ensure long- term impact and sustainability, Anganwadi workers will be trained to deliver e-learning content through LED TVs and tablets, while  Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) will receive specialized training to enhance access to primary healthcare and improve community health indicators.

The Zilla Parishad, Ghadchiroli, will lead coordination efforts by identifying eligible Anganwadis, appointing nodal officers, and ensuring visibility and maintenance of the upgraded centres. A joint working group will oversee the implementation and monitoring on ground to ensure seamless execution.

With a strong focus on community empowerment and equitable access to services, this project aims to create holistic rural development in tribal and underserved districts in Maharashtra.

Nand Ghar has already established over 8,300 centres across 15 states, touching the lives of millions of children and women. Most recently, , the initiative renewed its partnership with the Government of Rajasthan to establish 25,000 state-of-the-art centres across the state. The launch in Gadchiroli, marks yet another milestone in Nand Ghar’s journey towards healthier, better educated and self-reliant India.

·         This marks a transformative step towards strengthening early childhood education, health, and nutrition across Nand Ghars in Rajasthan.

30^th May 2025, Bengaluru: Nand Ghar, Vedanta’s flagship CSR initiative is reimagining anganwadis as modern centers equipped with smart education tools, BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) designs, LED TV, and child-friendly infrastructure to create engaging, safe spaces for children aged 3–6 years. They also facilitate fortified meals, healthcare services, and nutritional support for children and mothers, while empowering women through skill-building programs that promote sustainable livelihoods and community development.

Project Balvardhan is an initiative under Nand Ghar by the Anil Agarwal Foundation. It is focused on combatting malnutrition among children and enhancing the capacity of anganwadi workers. As per NFHS-5, 31.8% children under 5 years are stunted and 16.8% children are stunted in Rajasthan. Through the project, more than 800 Anganwadi centers will be developed into Nand Ghars across Dholpur in Rajasthan, benefiting over 80,000 children and 14,000 women beneficiaries, while largely impacting lives of more than 1,00,000 community members. The initiative using a 360-degree systems approach focuses on strengthening early childhood care and education (ECCE), addressing all forms of malnutrition, and ensuring the provision of quality supplementary nutrition as per the guidelines of ICDS Rajasthan. A strong emphasis will be placed on behavioral change practices to create a long-term and sustained impact on health and nutrition status for both children and women.

To build a holistic, community-driven development model focused on sustainability, scalability, and measurable impact, the strategic collaboration with JSI and Rocket Learning will help build a strong foundation for nutrition, health and education interventions at Nand Ghar.

CEO, Nand Ghar, Mr. Shashi Arora reaffirmed the program’s commitment and said, “At Nand Ghar, we believe that real change begins at the grassroots. Project Balvardhan is a significant step towards our dedicated efforts to combat malnutrition among children and empower anganwadi workers. Together with the Government of Rajasthan, JSI, and Rocket Learning, Nand Ghar is committed to drive this change from the grassroots and build a secure future for our future generation.”

Under Project Balvardhan, JSI will lead interventions to improve maternal and child nutrition & health by enhancing the nutritional status of children under 6 years via strengthening Anganwadi services through infrastructural upgrades, digital growth monitoring and tracking (anthropometry), and promoting maternal nutrition awareness through evidence-based practices via systems-driven Nand Ghar model. These efforts will directly benefit children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, while uplifting the overall health outcomes in surrounding rural communities. Efforts shall also be concentrated towards enhanced capacity building of Nand Ghar Didis (AWWs), front-line workers and communities for sustained impact via behavioural change mechanisms.

Rocket Learning will capacitate anganwadi workers in delivering high-quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) by enhancing child attendance and engagement through interactive learning, developing state-aligned educational content, and training workers in modern teaching methodologies.

JSI and Rocket Learning, in close collaboration with ICDS Rajasthan, are uniting their unparalleled expertise in maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood care and education (ECCE) to usher in a transformative era for Anganwadi services. Together, they are poised to deliver an integrated, systems – level approach that not only elevates service delivery standards at Anganwadi centres but also inspires a new vision of holistic child development.

Bengaluru, 7^th April 2025: Nand Ghar, the flagship initiative of the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), has achieved a significant milestone by transforming 8,044 Anganwadis into modern centres of holistic development for women and children. Spread across 15 states in India, this expansion underscores Vedanta’s commitment to rural development, impacting over 3 lakh children and 2 lakh women with early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare, and skill development.

Nand Ghars are modernised anganwadis with provision of state-of-the art facilities. 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 center 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 combat malnutrition by facilitating fortified meals to children and essential nutritional support for pregnant and lactating mothers. Integrated healthcare services, including immunization drives and routine check-ups, further strengthen community well-being. Nand Ghar is also strengthening women empowerment by engaging community women in skill-building activities such as handicrafts, food processing, and retail, enabling them to earn an average monthly income of up to INR 10,000.

As Nand Ghar continues to scale its impact, last year marked significant achievements for the program. To combat malnutrition, Nand Ghar launched a two-phase distribution of protein-rich millet shakes, benefiting children across six states. Patented and FSSAI certified, this millet shake contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals and is crafted from a blend of ragi, bajra, foxtail and kodu millets. With the government’s focus on promoting the consumption of millets in daily diet, Nand Ghar’s initiative reaffirms its alignment with the national vision of fostering nutritional security through sustainable and locally sourced superfoods.

In March this year, AAF proudly inaugurated Maharashtra’s first-ever Nand Ghars, launching 25 new centers in Thane. Expanding its reach further, the Foundation is committed to establishing 20,000 more Nand Ghars across Rajasthan over the next two years, transforming rural communities on a scale.

The initiative is well-aligned with the Government of India’s vision for women and child development. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) empowers and supports mothers and their children under six years through various programs ensuring comprehensive childcare support in a secure environment with trained staff, educational resources, nutritional support, and activities for holistic child development. With around 14 lakh Anganwadi centres serving over 7 crore children under six years across the country, Nand Ghar’s model contributes significantly to enhancing the existing ecosystem and amplifying the government’s efforts in ensuring the well-being of children and women in rural India.

Speaking on the achievement, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd., stated, “The journey of building 8,000 Nand Ghars reflects our deep commitment to transforming lives at the grassroots. These centers are not just reimagined Anganwadis, they are spaces of opportunity where children learn, grow, and thrive, and where women gain the tools to lead empowered, self-reliant lives. It is incredible to witness how Nand Ghar is evolving into a nationwide movement- one that is creating real change. Our partnership with the Government and the Ministry of Women & Child Development continues to strengthen this mission, helping us scale with purpose and bring meaningful change to communities across India.”

Adding to this, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar, commented, “At Nand Ghar, we are committed to holistic community development, where impact is measured not just in numbers but in the lives we transform. By integrating smart learning, digital tools, and sustainable nutrition programs, we are redefining the Anganwadi ecosystem in India. Over the past year, we have introduced cutting-edge digital learning modules and expanded nutrition programs to ensure that every child receives a balanced meal daily aligned with the Poshan 2.0 guidelines. Flagship initiatives such as Khaana Khaaya Kya?, the millet bar and shake distribution drive, and our digital smart learning model have further reinforced our commitment to child development and women’s empowerment. We will continue to deepen our impact within communities, ensuring that early childhood education, nutrition, and women empowerment drive for meaningful and sustainable change.”

Jaipur, Rajasthan, December 07, 2024 — In a significant step towards improving child development and women empowerment, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Diya Kumari, today visited the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya, Jaipur which has been developed as a model Anganwadi by the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta. The initiative to develop this model aligns with the government’s vision to strengthen Anganwadis in the state of Rajasthan and uplift child and maternal health, nutrition, and pre-primary education, while also empowering rural women economically. 

Recognizing the importance of this initiative, the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya has been acknowledged by the government as a leading model for Anganwadi transformation. It serves as a benchmark for future developments, setting a high standard that can be replicated to expand the reach and impact of Anganwadi programs across the state.

During her visit, Smt. Diya Kumari interacted with the children, encouraging them as they recited poems and shared their learnings. She also praised the Anganwadi worker, Mrs. Maya, for her dedication and expertise, particularly for her effective use of the Poshan Tracker. Further, she also inspected the Anganwadi kitchen, facilities, and Poshan Vatika. She urged replicating the Nand Ghar model across all anganwadi centers in the state.

Nand Ghars are equipped with a range of modern amenities including solar power or grid electricity, clean drinking water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, resources such as television and digital infrastructure to promote e-learning and smart education for pre-primary children are also provided at Nand Ghars.  Moreover, nutri-garden, recreational toys, and swings further enrich the learning environment at Nand Ghar, supporting the holistic development of children.

Since its inception in 2015, Project Nand Ghar, a flagship women and child development initiative by the Anil Agarwal Foundation, aims to modernize Anganwadi centres across India. With over 3500 Nand Ghars already established in Rajasthan, the project has positively impacted the lives of over 1,20,000 children and 90,000 women in the state. Till date, more than 6,500 Nand Ghars have been established in 15 states, positively impacting more than 2,50,000 children and 1,90,000 women.

The new model Anganwadi centres, like the Nand Ghar in Ramnagariya, will continue to integrate best-in-class facilities and services to serve as a benchmark for community resource centres across Rajasthan. This initiative reflects a commitment to bridging the urban-rural gap and advancing the overall socio-economic development of the state.

This initiative reaffirms Nand Ghar’s commitment to ensuring essential nutrition for young children across Vedanta’s operational areas. By incorporating millets, known for their high nutritional value, Nand Ghar aims to provide children with the balanced nutrition necessary for growth and well-being.

Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar, remarked, “Children’s Day is an annual reminder of the bright future that we have promised to the children of our country. On this Children’s Day, we aim to support their health & happiness through the distribution of millet shake at Nand Ghars across various states.”

Through such initiatives, Nand Ghar continues to support government efforts toward a nourished and healthy India, providing not only nutritional supplements but also nutritious meals and take-home rations for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers in rural areas.

This initiative aims to reinstate the importance of millets in the daily diet of children and the community at large. Through such supplements and nutrition centric programs, Nand Ghar is supporting the government in taking further the vision of a healthy and nourished India.

Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta remarked, “Following the success of the multi-millet nutri bar that we launched last year to combat malnourishment amongst children, we are delighted to celebrate Poshan Maah with the introduction of a nutritious millet shake at our Nand Ghars. Delivering child nutrition has taken centre stage at Nand Ghar, especially with our ‘Khaana Khaaya Kya’ movement, which aims to create a world where every child is healthy and well-nourished. The new millet shake is another step in this direction. It reiterates our dedication to the dream that no child should go to bed hungry”

The protein-dense millet shake, known for its nutritional value, has been manufactured by a startup Millet Bowl. Introduced for the first time in India, this patented and FSSAI certified product is rich in 23 essential vitamins and minerals, low in calorie with plant-based protein. It comprises Ragi, Bajra, Foxtail, and Kodu and prepared as a dairy-free, easy-to-consume liquid shake. It also contains purified water, jaggery, multi-millet flour, plant protein isolates, cocoa powder, coconut milk powder, vitamins, minerals premix, and vegan stabilizers. With a shelf life of 6 months, the product is designed to ensure long-lasting nutritional support. The Nand Ghar children will be enjoying the shakes in chocolate flavor.

Commenting on the launch of the program, Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar said, “At Nand Ghar, we strive to nurture the future of India by addressing the critical issue of childhood malnutrition. By commencing the distribution of millet shakes to children across our centres during Poshan Maah, we are providing them with a nutrient-rich, traditional superfood. The initiative is an outcome of the #KhaanaKhaayaKya movement launched earlier this year, which has achieved massive success and is aimed at enhancing child nutrition. By leveraging the contributions received and utilizing a dual-channel approach, we aim to maximize reach and foster collaborative efforts for sustainable child nutrition improvement.”

This intervention highlights the Foundation’s unwavering dedication towards community welfare and child nutrition, ensuring that children attending Nand Ghar receive the nourishment they deserve. Besides nutritional supplements such as the millet shake, Nand Ghar facilitates nutritious meals, and take-home rations for children and pregnant and lactating women to ensure their holistic growth and development.