An important milestone in India’s social impact history was declared this Children’s Day by the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact division of the Vedanta Group, the country’s largest energy transition metals, oil & gas, vital minerals, power, and technology conglomerate. With more than 10,000 centres spread across 16 states, Vedanta’s flagship social impact programme Nand Ghar is changing the lives of almost four lakh children and three lakh women every day across the country. Over 6500 Nand Ghars are spread across 27 districts in Rajasthan. Hindustan Zinc is making a substantial contribution to the establishment of these modernised Anganwadis, which will benefit nearly 3.7 lakh women and children by promoting early childhood development, healthier moms, and empowered rural women.

By modernising rural institutions and empowering mothers and children via better nutrition, early education, healthcare, and skill development, Nand Ghar is changing the Anganwadi ecosystem in India. The programme, which is in line with the Government of India’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is a major step towards converting traditional Anganwadis into cutting-edge, technologically advanced centres that have a quantifiable impact at the local level.

With smart classrooms, digital learning resources, BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) designs, dependable electricity, clean drinking water, hygienic sanitation, and kid-friendly furnishings, each Nand Ghar is a transformational model that creates safe, welcoming, and motivating environments for kids ages three to six. Beyond early education, Nand Ghars are thriving community centres where health screenings, immunisation drives, women’s skill development programmes, and nutrition programmes for kids come together to create villages that are healthier and more resilient.

The Nand Ghar programme, which was started with the help of Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal, has grown into a national movement. “When we started the Nand Ghar journey, the dream was simple – to ensure every child gets the right nutrition and early education and every woman has the opportunity to stand on her own feet,” said Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Group, in a statement marking this milestone. That ambition is coming true today, Children’s Day, as we surpass the 10,000 Nand Ghars milestone in 16 states. Every Nand Ghar represents aspiration, education, and empowerment. Only the steadfast cooperation and support of the Indian government, state governments, and local communities have made this milestone possible. I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supports this goal. We are totally dedicated to changing the lives of 2 crore women and 8 crore children in India. I want more and more people to join us in this cause, regardless of their background.

From Andhra Pradesh’s coastal regions to Rajasthan’s deserts, Nand Ghar has turned traditional Anganwadis into essential hubs for community development. In addition to digital learning modules in regional languages, children receive hot-cooked meals and nutrition supplements—more than 80 lakh supplements have been distributed—to guarantee solid preschool foundations. More than 90 lakh community members have benefited from improved mother and child health as a result of routine health checks and awareness campaigns. Thousands of women are earning up to ₹10,000 a month thanks to vocational training in priority trades, which promotes long-term financial independence and social dignity.

Nand Ghar has made significant infrastructure improvements to ensure that each centre is sustainably powered and digitally enabled in order to increase effect at scale. By closing last-mile gaps and enhancing government initiatives in women’s empowerment and child welfare, these improvements have made Nand Ghar a scalable model for integrated community development.

“Our Anganwadi was just a small room before Nand Ghar,” revealed Sunita Devi, a Rajasthani Nand Ghar Didi. It is our village’s pride today! Moms trust us more than ever, and kids adore coming here. Our Nand Ghar is now a haven of study and happiness thanks to smart TVs, hygienic amenities, and wholesome meals.

Odisha mother Rekha continued, “Nand Ghar has altered the perception of women in our community. I gained new abilities and began making money, and now I also instruct others. Nand Ghar has improved our lives by fostering the growth of women, which benefits the entire community.

This year’s Children’s Day festivities were even more memorable because 10,000 Nand Ghars were completed. Art, storytelling, and community activities brought children, mothers, and local leaders together in a joyous celebration at centres across several states.

Nand Ghar is spreading its reach throughout India’s rural heartland, with an increasing presence in Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and other states. In order to impact two million lives and establish a new standard for public-private cooperation in community development, the next big objective is to open 25,000 Nand Ghars throughout Rajasthan over the course of the next two years.