New Delhi: Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on September 3 stated that there has been a rise in the gender budget allocation under Prime Minister [PM] Narendra Modi
“Today, women feel safe. The country has moved towards women-led development under PM Modi’s leadership. There has been a rise in gender budget allocation. Ten crore women are associated SHGs (self-help groups), to strengthen the self-reliant India. More than 1.5 crore women in the country have become ‘Lakhpati Didis’,” said the Union Minister.
She further pointed out that to provide a safe environment for women, working women’s hostels are being constructed and the government is also providing nutrition for women and girls, including pregnant and lactating mothers, at Anganwadis.
Devi noted that the role of women in elections has increased since 2014 and the women in the country realise that PM Modi is always standing by them. The Union Minister also hailed the passing of ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’.
Government launches guidelines for co-location of Anganwadi centres
Devi along with Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan on September 3 also launched the guidelines for ‘co-location of Anganwadi Centres’ with schools
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Pradhan said that this initiative marks a significant milestone towards realising PM’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’. He emphasized that the goal of a developed Bharat will be achieved when, in the coming days, we ensure complete care for every pregnant mother, newborn child, and pre-school going child.
The Minister proposed the creation of a dedicated learning module for Anganwadi workers (“didi”) who have not studied up to Class 12 but are keen to pursue further education.
Highlighting the role of technology, he said that today’s world has become more accessible with AI and other innovations, and it is important to harness these tools for shaping the future of children. Anganwadi workers are the first teachers in a child’s life, and with the use of AI, the teaching-learning process in Bharatiya languages can be made even more effective, he added.
The Minister also informed that within the next three years, nearly 2 lakhs private and government high schools across the country will be connected with broadband. Citing the recent ASER and PARAKH data, he noted that learning outcomes of children in rural areas have surpassed those in urban areas. This remarkable achievement, he said, is a testament to the tireless efforts of Anganwadi workers.
Underscoring the way forward, Pradhan said that it is our collective responsibility to ensure proper care and health for nearly 15 crore children in the country. Only then can the dream of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ and the vision of ‘NIPUN Bharat’ be fully realized.
The co-location of Anganwadi centres with school aims to ensure school preparedness and smooth transition of children from AWC to Grade 1 in primary schools. It also aims to have better linkages and convergence between AWCs and primary schools for providing joyful learning experiences and stimulating environment leading to holistic development of children along enhanced retention rate of children at primary level in order to gain higher achievement at different levels of learning.
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