J C - 2023-06-16
Anganwadi is a type of rural child care center in India. The term "anganwadi" means "courtyard shelter" in Hindi, and these centers serve as a place for early childhood care and development, as well as nutrition and health services for young children and women in rural areas. Anganwadi centers are part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, which was launched by the Government of India in 1975. The main objective of the ICDS scheme is to improve the nutritional and health status of children below the age of six years, as well as pregnant and lactating women. Anganwadi centers are typically run by local community members, often referred to as anganwadi workers or helpers, who are trained to provide basic education, healthcare, and nutrition services to the beneficiaries. The services provided by anganwadi centers include: 1. Supplementary nutrition: Anganwadi centers offer nutritious meals and snacks to children below the age of six and pregnant and lactating women. These meals usually consist of food items like cereals, pulses, vegetables, and fruits, aiming to address malnutrition and promote healthy growth and development. 2. Immunization: Anganwadi workers also play a crucial role in promoting immunization by organizing immunization camps and ensuring that children receive timely vaccinations against diseases like polio, measles, and tuberculosis. 3. Health check-ups: Regular health check-ups are conducted at anganwadi centers to monitor the growth and development of children. Workers measure height, weight, and other vital parameters to identify any health issues early on and provide necessary referrals to medical facilities if required. 4. Pre-school education: Anganwadi centers serve as early childhood education centers, providing basic pre-school education to children between the ages of three and six. They focus on promoting cognitive development, early literacy, and numeracy skills through interactive and play-based learning activities. 5. Health and nutrition education: Anganwadi workers also educate mothers and caregivers about proper nutrition, hygiene practices, breastfeeding, immunization, and other essential aspects of child care and maternal health. Overall, anganwadi centers play a crucial role in addressing the healthcare and educational needs of children and women in rural areas of India, with a primary focus on improving child nutrition, health, and early childhood development. Anganwadi is a type of rural mother and childcare centre. They were started by the Government of India in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
