Bhubaneswar: In a major push to enhance early childhood care infrastructure, Odisha inaugurated 1,889 newly constructed Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across all 30 districts, marking a significant step towards strengthening grassroots service delivery.
The centres were virtually inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism Pravati Parida in the presence of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik at the WCD Conference Hall.
Addressing the occasion, Parida reiterated the government’s vision of building quality and inclusive infrastructure, stating, “Sundar, Sakhyam, Sudrudha Anganwadi is our aim.” She also interacted with district administrations from Balasore, Ganjam, Cuttack, Angul, Deogarh and other regions, reviewing the progress of Anganwadi construction to ensure timely completion and effective implementation.
Highlighting the rapid pace of development, Naik commended the Women & Child Development Department for its efforts under the leadership of Parida. He emphasized that children enrolled in Anganwadi centres today will play a crucial role in shaping a developed Odisha by 2036.
Officials noted that the initiative was made possible through close convergence between the Women and Child Development Department Odisha and the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Odisha, ensuring coordinated implementation at the grassroots level.
The programme was also attended by Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of WCD, along with senior officials from both departments. District Collectors, Chief Development Officers, District Social Welfare Officers, Child Development Project Officers, and other field-level functionaries from all 30 districts participated virtually.
The large-scale rollout of Anganwadi centres is expected to significantly improve access to nutrition, early childhood education, and healthcare services, reinforcing the state’s commitment to inclusive development.
