SMT. ANITA BADHEL INAUGURATES 2 NAND GHARS IN UDAIPUR, DEDICATES 318 ANGANWADI CENTRES IN KHUSHI

So far, more than 100 “Nand Ghars” have been constructed across three states and 2911 Anganwadi Centres have joined “Khushi” Project…

On 4th August, 2017, 2 more “Nand Ghars” - Dhawaditalai and Main Rawa were inaugurated in Rawa village of Girwa Block at Udaipur District by Chief Guest – Smt. Anita Bhadel – Hon’ble Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Rajasthan and now 20 Nand Ghars have been constructed in Udaipur district with 100 more Nand Ghars in pipeline.

During the inaugural ceremony, Smt. Bhadel said “For the progress of the country, along with infrastructure development, it is important to focus on  human development. Anganwadis strengthens the foundation of children below the age of seven years - their nutrition, health and education. Government and Vedanta Hindustan Zinc have come forward with well-equipped facilities for both mother and child including skill training for women in the form of ‘Nand Ghar’. Now communities have to take the responsibility of Nand Ghars to make it successful”.

To make the project more cohesive, “Nand Ghar” act as a focal area for immunisation, gender sensitisation and maternal care. It also aims to enhance the learning environment through an e-learning module and skill enhancement program for women where they will undergo entrepreneurship training, including skill enhancement, to start their own micro enterprise with credit linkages, thereby increasing their contribution towards the Indian economy.

During her visit to Udaipur, Smt. Bhadel also launched “Khushi” project in Chawand village wherein 318 Anganwadi Centres of Sarada Block have been included under the project as part of Phase-2.

During the launch program, Smt. Bhadel said “Through Khushi project, Anganwadi program will be strengthened to improve attendance, health and the well-being of Anganwadi children. Now communities have to come forward and support it by actively participating in it".

In year 2015, Hindustan Zinc signed the MoU with Government of Rajasthan to strengthen 3055 Anganwadis of the ICDS Department in 5 districts i.e. Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara and Ajmer of Rajasthan under its flagship project “Khushi” in 2 phases.

Last year under “Khushi” project, Hindustan Zinc reached out to 2295 Anganwadi centres in 5 districts of Rajasthan in phase 1. So far in Udaipur district, Hindustan Zinc with partner NGO – Seva Mandir has included 1157 Anganwadi Centres under “Khushi” Project.

VEDANTA HINDUSTAN ZINC OPENS 2 NAND GHARS IN AJMER, RAJASTHAN

Delivering long-term benefits to communities by strengthening the foundation of children below the age of seven years - their nutrition, health and education… 

The report says, there are 7.5 crore underprivileged children living in remote rural areas, below the age of seven years, who are in need of proper nutrition, health care and education. Our primary focus, therefore, is to start at the grass root level with the holistic development of children and women, who form the future of our nation.

This is where, Vedanta came up with the concept of “Nand Ghar" designed in partnership with the ministry of women and child development. It is an extension to the existing Anganwadi initiative for providing a better environment to the children of India by addressing issues relating to pre-primary education, health care, nutrition and economic empowerment for women in rural India.

Mr. Anil Agarwal – Chairman, Vedanta Group believes “In order to secure the future of India, we have to safeguard the present. To strengthen the foundation of children, it is important to address issues relating to pre-primary education, health care, nutrition for children and economic empowerment for women in rural India”.

Taking his vision forward, Vedanta has joined hands with the Government to revamp 4000 anganwadi centres across India under the Project ‘Nand Ghar’. Today, more than 100 “Nand Ghars” across three states has resulted in marked improvement in attendance, learning abilities and school readiness, by deploying e-learning modules in education and soft skills in collaboration with world-class partners and they are now equipped with TVs, solar panels and toilets. 

On 31^st July, 2017, 2 “Nand Ghars” - Khanpura & Parbatpura have also been inaugurated in Ajmer District by the Chief Guest - Ms. Anita Bhadel – Hon’ble Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Rajasthan and with this 10 Nand Ghars have been constructed in Ajmer district with 25 more Nand Ghars are in pipeline.

During the inaugural ceremony, Ms. Bhadel said “Government and Vedanta Hindustan Zinc have done their bit by providing well equipped facilities for primary education, nutrition services along with related healthcare services for both mother and child including skill training for women, it’s now the communities have to come forward and support it by actively participating in it.” She also mentioned that if a mother anchors the responsibility of her child’s education, the benefit will percolate to her next 7 generations.

To make the project more cohesive, “Nand Ghar” act as a focal area for immunisation, gender sensitisation and maternal care. It also aims to enhance the learning environment through an e-learning module and skill enhancement program for women where they will undergo entrepreneurship training, including skill enhancement, to start their own micro enterprise with credit linkages, thereby increasing their contribution towards the Indian economy.

The Nand Ghars are in line with Prime Minister of India’s vision of social development and will prove to be a stepping stone for building the future human capital as productive, passionate and persistent towards the growth.

Also present on the occasion were Mrs. Neelima Khetan – Head CSR, HZL, Mr. Sampat Sankhla – Dy. Mayor, Ajmer,  Mrs. Anupama Tailor – Dy. Director, Women & Child Development, Mr. Nitesh Yadav - ICDS, Mr. Raes Ahemad - Counsellor along with Anganwadi workers and Hindustan Zinc’s CSR representatives.

VEDANTA KHUSHI - VEDANTA READIES RS 400-CR FUNDING FACELIFT FOR ANGANWADIS

The Vedanta Foundation, the philanthropic arm of metal and mining major Vedanta, will revamp 4,000 anganwadi centres across India by equipping them with TVs, solar panels and toilets.

The foundation will fund the modernisation drive with over Rs 400 crore, for which it has partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), it said in a statement.

The first model Anganwadi, Nand Ghar, was inaugurated by Union Minister for WCD Maneka Gandhi today, along with Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, at Hasanpur village in Sonipat district of Haryana.

Inaugurating the centre, Gandhi said: "This Nand Ghar model will provide targeted delivery of supplementary nutrition services, along with related healthcare services for both mother and child, including skill training for women."

The Minister hailed Vedanta's efforts in this regard.

"The Ministry of WCD and the Vedanta Group have come together to construct 4,000 Anganwadi buildings in different parts of the country. Nand Ghar is an extension to the existing anganwadi initiative and will be Vedanta Group's endeavour to provide better environment to children of India," said Agarwal.

Vedanta's Nand Ghar project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and commitment to providing quality education for children and skill development for women in the entire country, he added.

The Vedanta Foundation has already collaborated with over 3,000 anganwadi centres in Rajasthan and Odisha by supplementing the services of the government and addressing the nutrition as well as the educational needs of over 1 lakh children. 

VEDANTA KHUSHI - TIMES OF INDIA - 1 IN 5 PRIMARY TEACHERS UNQUALIFIED

Subodh Varma, TNN | Apr 5, 2015, 12.41 AM IST

NEW DELHI: A fifth of all elementary school teachers in the country do not have the requisite qualifications to teach young children. If this doesn't shock you, take a look at what's going on at the state level. 

In a wide swathe starting from all eight states of the North-East (including Sikkim), through West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and up north in J&K, the share of qualified teachers is much lower, ranging between 29% in Arunachal Pradesh or 30% in Nagaland to 68% in MP and 70% in Jharkhand. It is through these untrained hands that the foundation of education is being laid in children. 

What is even more worrying is that according to district information system for education (DISE) - it's a school education database managed by the National University for Educational Planning - this condition has persisted for past many years. 

In larger states 90% or more teachers are professionally qualified. In Odisha, the proportion is 79% while in Uttar Pradesh it is 78%. Karnataka (96%) and Punjab (88%) show decline in proportion of qualified teachers. 

It's essential that teachers, especially of smaller children, be professionally trained, stresses Anita Rampal, professor at Delhi University's department of education. 

"Just knowing a subject or being a graduate is not sufficient qualification to become an elementary school teacher. You need to be trained in understanding the learning process of children, their diversity, and you need to develop necessary teaching skills under trained supervision," she said.

The situation in the eight North-Eastern states has been like this for many years. Elementary schools in Assam, the biggest state of the region, are running on just 39% trained teachers, virtually the same share as in 2006-07. Arunachal Pradesh has slid from having 35% trained teachers in 2006-07 to 29% now while Mizoram is facing a calamity - its share of trained teachers has plummeted from 61% in 2006 to 40% currently. Tripura and Sikkim have seen improvements, but at a worryingly slow pace. 

Bihar has one of the lowest shares of trained teachers, because teachers training colleges remained closed for about a decade, says Rampal, who explains the condition in North-East as arising from lack of teachers training colleges. In 2006-07, the share of qualified teachers in Bihar was 62%, which has now reduced to 43%. In West Bengal, too, the situation is fast sliding as the share of qualified teachers went down from 75% in 2006-07 to 49% in 2013-14. 

In Chhattisgarh, with 59% share of qualified teachers, and in Jharkhand with 70%, there has been only a marginal improvement in the past seven years. A similar situation exists in J&K where only 51% teachers were qualified in 2006-07 and now this share is 52%. 

School education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution with both, the states and Centre having power to deal with it. A large proportion of funds are provided by the Centre through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a centrally sponsored scheme. The regulation of teachers' qualification is done by a Central statutory body, the National Council for Teachers' Education. While it is mandatory for states to appoint qualified teachers to schools, clearly, the law is being brazenly flouted. 

The trend towards appointment of contractual or para- teachers which acquired great popularity through the 1990's has also contributed to the decline in teachers' qualification standards, experts believe. 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1-in-5-primary-teachers-unqualified/articleshow/46809604.cms

Vedanta Khushi : 600 Children paint "Khushi : Our Girls Our Pride" on Canvas

"Girls are not born by choice but by chance, we need to break this mind-set in India" 

It was a day for 600 school children to show their solidarity towards girl child by painting 600 new ideas to protect and honour girls in India.  "Khushi : Our Girls Our Pride" campaign launched by Vedanta Group and NDTV organized an event at Udaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta simultaneously here hundreds of children painted canvases on the pride of girl child. Vedanta and NDTV have joined hands to build a life of dignity for the girl child and the film star Priyanka Chopra has been the brand ambassador of this campaign.

In Udaipur, it set a record when 600 school children from 20 schools coloured the canvas by putting their thoughts together. Some children painted prominent women athletes as inspiration, some draw a child in mother's womb being treated, some had thoughts of drawing girl as mother, some showed girls going to school, some showed different facets of girl - sister, wife and a creator of life.  The varied thoughts put on canvas were indeed a pride. Delhi Public School that hosted this event organized by Vedanta's "Khushi" and NDTV encouraged students to build a society which has no gender discrimination. A society of equality and pride for children. A message that said India needs to be proud of its female population.

The event brought students of below 16 years together on a single mission. Children were also joined by their parents and more than 25 female teachers of DPS who stood by them the children.  The entire "Khushi" team of Vedanta was also present which helped children develop their thoughts.  

Pavan Kaushik, who has carved "Khushi" campaign and who is also Head of Corporate Communication said " Mr. Anil Agarwal the Chairman of Vedanta Group has given an agenda to spread awareness about the need to build a life of dignity for the underprivileged children.  "Khushi" is a communication campaign fulfilling this mission to inform and spread knowledge about how important it is for India to address more than 20 crore malnourished children, their health and education".  Speaking on the girl child. " Girls need to build their status too. Dont get bogged down by social evils or society restrictions. Live as an individual who is bound to make her own identity and capture a newer height. Girls are always pride for the family and for the society", said Pavan Kaushik.

Many national and international reports have shown that India suffers from serious female infanticide issue, child deaths, malnutrition, and education in deprived children. India is home for the largest children in the world and it is alarming to note that the ratio of females is only decreasing. Girls are not given birth by choice but by chance.  With 50% children malnourished in India and lacking education and primary health, makes all the citizens role more important. Government of India has come forward with Rs. 129,000 crore sanction towards ICDS project, but it will also reach to 50% of deprived population. Thus corporates, NGOs and most importantly, common citizens need to come forward with individual initiatives.

The Principal of Delhi Public School, Udaipur, Ms. Neeru Tandon, spoke about bringing female in front even at school events and gave them preference to build their confidence.  "Dont discourage them, just make sure they get proper support" Neeru Tandon says. "We have more of female staff than male staff and I am quite proud of it" she said.  Vedanta has been pioneering the child welfare campaign in India with a mission to make India a child malnourished free nation.  In its effort, since 2008 Vedanta has been associated with government to take care of about 14,000 Anganwadis (child care centres),reaching out to more than 500,000 deprived children.  The company has also constructed 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens that provides hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students studying in government schools on daily basis.   

Vedanta has adopted 112 rural schools towards developing their infrastructure and strengthening the education system.  NDTV too has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various social issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives.

www.khushi-creatinghappiness.blogspot.in

www.facebook.com/groups/vedantakhushi

Vedanta's "Khushi", NDTV and Priyanka Chopra join hands for Girl Child

Campaign  : ‘Our Girls : Our Pride’ Launched - Priyanka Chopra is the Brand Ambassador

Vedanta Group and NDTV have joined hands to promote Girl Child in India through campaign "Our Girls : Our Pride".  The campaign has been launched under Vedanta's "Khushi" awareness campaign, that is already promoting care for the underprivileged children, their health, nutrition and education.  

Ms. Priyanka Chopra has been named the Brand Ambassador of the campaign "Our Girl : Our Pride" .  The campaign launched on 19th August 2013 in New Delhi,  will address key issues like nutrition, education, health, foeticide and infanticide.  The focus of the campaign will be to educate people at large, bring awareness, bring policy changes and sensitize people towards girl child and build a respect for the gender.

Looking at India, the country houses the maximum number of children in the world but it is also true that around 50% of child are suffering from malnutrition and the number of girls is large. The ratio of females per 1000 mails has been continuously decreasing since last more than 30 years.  There is a conscious need to not only protect the girl child but also bring in dedicated efforts towards their education, nutrition, health and overall development.

The three partners in this campaign are unique in their own fields.

Priyanka Chopra, who has been named as Brand Ambassador for this campaign, has been UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for India, Priyanka has been actively involved in various causes related to the girl child for many years.  She has also personally supported this cause through the ‘Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education’, which works towards providing support to unprivileged girls across the country in the areas Education and Health.

Vedanta has been pioneering the child welfare campaign in India with a mission to make India a child malnourished free nation.  In its effort, since 2008 Vedanta has been associated with government to take care of about 14,000 Anganwadis (child care centres), benefiting more than 500,000 deprived children.  The company has also constructed 8 Hi-tech Mid Day Meal Kitchens that provide hot nutritious meal to over 250,000 rural students studying in government schools.  Vedanta has adopted many rural schools towards bringing quality of education and strengthening infrastructure. 

NDTV has always played an instrumental role in creating awareness about various issues existing in the country through diverse, path breaking initiatives such as Save Our Tigers, Support My School, Marks for Sports and the Greenathon amongst others. 

The campaign launch was marked with the presence of Campaign Ambassador - Priyanka Chopra, Dr Prannoy Roy - Co-chairperson NDTV and Mr. Anil Agarwal - Chairman Vedanta Group,  Dr. Girija Vyas - Minister for Urban Poverty Alleviation, Dr A L Sharada - Programme Director, Population First, Ms. Deepak Kalra, Chairperson for Child Rights Protection Committee in Rajasthan and many NGOs and other dignitaries.

Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath addressed the gathering via a live-link and said, “We should respect women in our society because both men and women are equal partners to take out our society forward. According to our Constitution, we have equal rights, so we enjoy equal rights as men and women.”

On being introduced as Campaign Ambassador, Priyanka Chopra, said, “The upliftment of the girl child in India has been a cause that is very close to my heart.  In my role as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador and through my experience with my personal foundation, I understand that while there have been some positive strides being made every day, there is still a serious amount of work that is still left to be done.  I am honoured to be a part of NDTV - Vedanta- Our Girls : Our Pride, which is a wonderful initiative. 

NDTV has pioneered several successful campaigns in the past, creating a positive change in the lives of many. My personal experience with NDTV on the Greenathon over many successful years gives me the belief that together we can work towards making a sustainable change. With this initiative we aim to change the lives of many girls and provide them with basic necessities to be able to lead a quality life. I’m looking forward to creating a successful campaign that will give everyone an opportunity to come together in making a better and brighter India for our young girls.”

On this occasion, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Group, said "Vedanta is committed to partner with all stakeholders, especially community, for a holistic development of India.  What we need today is a movement on a war-footing to give our children what is rightfully theirs — a childhood that is not deprived of health, nutrition and education. We all must join hands — individuals, civil society, corporates, media fraternity and the government. We are quite delighted to associate with NDTV and Ms Priyanka Chopra for taking the "Our Girls Our Pride" campaign forward."

Addressing the audience, Dr. Prannoy Roy, Chairperson, NDTV, said “Perhaps the single most important change we can bring to our country is to invest in our girl children - to focus on their rights and demand their equality in society. Ensuring that every girl child in India achieves her full potential will transform India in a way that no other revolution can. This campaign is a small step in that direction - to raise awareness and to seek concrete steps towards a better India for the girl child.”

‘NDTV-Vedanta - Our Girls : Our Pride’ is yet another attempt to make a noteworthy difference in our world.  Apart from sensitizing the masses, the campaign also aims to raise funds to make a positive impact in the lives of as many girls as possible.