Vedanta’s Nand Ghar Initiative Signs MoU with Rajasthan Government

Jaipur, : In a historic collaboration, Vedanta’s social impact arm, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), has joined hands with the Rajasthan Government to establish 25,000 Nand Ghars across the state. This transformative partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Mr. Mahendra Soni, Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, Rajasthan, and Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO of Nand Ghar, Vedanta. The occasion was further honored by the presence of Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister, Mrs. Diya Kumari, who emphasized the importance of this initiative in shaping the future of Rajasthan’s rural communities.

This collaboration aims to address key challenges in rural areas, including malnutrition, lack of quality early childhood education, and limited opportunities for women’s empowerment. The initiative reflects a shared vision of the Rajasthan Government and Vedanta to create a brighter and healthier future for women and children, ensuring holistic development for the next generation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO of Nand Ghar, expressed his gratitude:
"With over 7,000 Nand Ghars already established across 15 states, benefiting 280,000 children and 210,000 women, this partnership with Rajasthan will be a game-changer. We are thankful to the Rajasthan Government for giving us this opportunity to expand our reach. Together, we aim to empower rural women, tackle malnutrition, and ensure that every child in rural Rajasthan has access to quality early education. This initiative will pave the way for a brighter and stronger Rajasthan."

Mrs. Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating:
"The Rajasthan Government has always prioritized addressing malnutrition and providing quality education for children. This partnership with Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative is a significant step in achieving these goals. It reflects our commitment to creating opportunities for women and children in rural areas, ensuring their growth and empowerment."

Key Highlights of the MoU:

Development of 25,000 Nand Ghars: These technologically advanced centers will serve as hubs for holistic development, offering services for children and women.

Focus on Women Empowerment: Training programs and skill-building initiatives will equip women with tools for self-reliance.

Combating Malnutrition: Nutritional support, regular health check-ups, and immunization drives will be integral to the initiative.

Promoting Early Childhood Education: Digital and smart learning tools will ensure quality education for young children.

Features of Nand Ghar:

Each Nand Ghar is designed to provide state-of-the-art facilities, including:

Smart learning tools for enhanced digital education.

Clean drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities.

Regular health check-ups and nutritional support for children and pregnant women.

Skill training for rural women to foster financial independence.

Currently, more than 3,600 Nand Ghars are operational across 17 districts in Rajasthan, and this MoU will expand the initiative to all districts of the state.

Mr. Mahendra Soni, Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, shared his thoughts on the partnership:
"This collaboration with Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative aligns perfectly with our vision to create a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem for rural development. With 25,000 Nand Ghars, we aim to uplift communities and ensure a brighter future for the women and children of Rajasthan."

About Nand Ghar:

Nand Ghar is a flagship initiative by the Anil Agarwal Foundation that works to strengthen India’s Anganwadi system. Operating in 15 states with over 7,000 centers, Nand Ghars have positively impacted 2.8 lakh children and 2.1 lakh women. These modern Anganwadis focus on eradicating malnutrition, providing pre-primary education, offering primary healthcare, and empowering rural women through skill development.

The vision of Nand Ghar is to positively transform the lives of 7 crore children and 2 crore women through India’s Anganwadi network, contributing to sustainable and inclusive development across the nation.