CARE AT ITS CORE

Another mother, Tara Devi, echoes Aarti’s sentiment. “These bars are made with ‘mota anaaj,’ the healthy grains we traditionally eat in our villages. They make you strong, and it’s wonderful to see this age-old wisdom getting passed on to our children in such a tasty way.”

The project’s success in piloting millet bar is undeniable. Attendance at Nand Ghars has soared by 20%. More importantly, the rates of severely and moderately acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM) amongst children across all Nand Ghars, not only in the Varanasi district, have significantly dropped.

Harmony and hope: A Godh Bharai gathering at Nand Ghar

As Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd. and Non-Executive Director of Vedanta Ltd., shares, “Currently, only 2.9% and 3.9% of children across the project in 14 states fall under SAM and MAM categories, respectively, compared to the national average of 7.7% and 19.3%.”

But the nutritious bars are just one aspect of the transformational story. The state-ofthe-art Anganwadis, brimming with smiles and hope, are another reason for Aarti and countless other parents and children to be grateful.

There are other inviting reasons, too, besides the millet bars that add to the charm of the Nand Ghars. Walls adorned with playful animal paintings and a fun growth chart tracker make learning an adventure here. Equipped with 24x7 electricity, water-purifiers, clean toilets, educational toys, and a smart TV for sing-alongs juice up the appeal of the place. Most importantly, a warm air of love and care from the Nand Ghar ‘didis’ (sisters) wafts around the place, making the children feel belonged and at home. Not surprisingly, attendance as well as new enrolments is on a rise at Nand Ghars!

The evidence of change is ubiquitous. Ask Anju Dubey, the Anganwadi didi in charge of the Nand Ghar at Composite Vidyalaya, Khojwa in Varanasi, who started as a sahayika (assistant teacher) in 2011 and has witnessed the remarkable makeover. “The difference in children wanting to attend Nand Ghar compared to regular Anganwadis is incredible! We already have 100 enrolled, with more inquiries every day. The vibrant atmosphere and facilities are a huge draw for both parents and children.”

And it’s not just the teachers who are impressed. Six-year-old Sakshi beams, “I can count and sing! I love coming to Nand Ghar to watch songs and dance.” Parents are over the moon, too. Ashish Gupta says, “My daughter Ridhi gets upset on Sundays because she can’t go to her beloved Nand Ghar! It’s amazing to see her love for learning so much. I hope she keeps enjoying school.”

The care goes beyond the basics. Every new Nand Ghar enrolee receives a warm welcome and a brand-new uniform. This simple gesture often brings tears to parents’ eyes. We saw this first-hand with a daily wage earner who was deeply touched by the reception his son received at a Jaipur Nand Ghar. “Seeing such a clean and welcoming school – knowing my child will learn here – is a special feeling,” he shared with a smile.

The warmth extends to expectant mothers with a traditional ‘godbharai’ ceremony. As mothers-to-be sit glowing with joy, folk songs are sung for their health and the baby’s well-being. They then receive fruits and treats. Anita, a pregnant resident of Jaipur, says, “My son already attends Nand Ghar, and I can’t wait to bring my second child here too. The love and care are unmatched. What more could a mother ask for?”

Rural revolution: Kusum Devi champions sanitary pad awareness bolstered by Vedanta’s training programs

Nand Ghars, renowned for providing healthcare, nutrition and early childhood education, are also significantly impacting the lives of rural women by offering selfsufficiency training programmes that empower women with income-generating skills.

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Kusum Devi beams with confidence. “See for yourself,” she says, pouring water onto a sanitary pad. She presses a tissue against it – dry! Then, she tears it open, squeezing the gel inside. Still no leaks! “These pads are the best you’ll find anywhere,” she declares with a proud smile.

Kusum, a resident of Ayodhyapur village in Varanasi, isn’t your typical TV ad model. But with a simple sari draped over her head, she’s become a household name, going door-to-door selling these life-changing products.

Beyond serving nutritious meals and providing early childhood education, Nand Ghars are blossoming into hubs for women’s dreams to take flight. Kusum is just one of many empowered women rewriting their stories thanks to AAF’s selfsufficiency training programs.

At first, my father-in-law called it a ‘nautanki’ (a silly act),” Kusum recalls. “But

my mother-in-law stood by me. Now, with a steady income flowing into the household, they’re all incredibly proud. Most importantly, I’m proud of myself for being independent.

Every month, over 100 women purchase sanitary pads from Kusum, each packet priced at Rs 35, generating a healthy income of Rs 3,500.

Kusum is not alone. For Suman Devi, packing and selling these pads is a lifeline. It offers a break from her difficult and unsupportive home environment and forges a path to financial independence. “Finally, I’m not reliant on anyone for my children’s future,” she says with a smile as she carefully packs a set of seven pads.

Shrinkhala, a young woman diligently preparing for her banking exams, feels empowered to support her father.

Urmila Patel, a mother of four living in Kuroti village, is stitching a brighter future for herself, one stitch at a time. Although she knew some basic sewing skills from her youth, Urmila never realised honing them could translate into financial gain. “After my training, I’m creating beautiful blouses, petticoats, and even bead necklaces and rudraksha malas,” she shares. “Now, I can not only contribute to my children’s education but also support my husband. Seeing him work so hard used to break my heart. Now, with my contribution, he can finally breathe a little easier.”

Crafting Autonomy: Women thread beads of Self-Sufficiency at Nand Ghars

Ruchi Ojha, a woman determined to be self-sufficient ever since she began tutoring children after her father’s passing, knows the importance of resilience. When she learned about her son’s brain condition, she knew her husband’s income as a lift repairman wouldn’t be enough. Stepping up, she joined a self-help group at the Nand Ghar training centre. “Not only do I earn a good income from sewing and making jewellery, but this work also provides a much-needed escape from home,” she explains. “Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need to find a fresh perspective.”

Sangeeta Yadav, the 29-year-old Field Coordinator for the Nand Ghar resource centres, witnesses the transformative power of these programs first-hand. “Seeing these women confidently manage their finances is truly heart-warming,” she beams. “Thanks to Nand Ghar’s vision, they not only have a new-found sense of self-worth but also the respect of their families and communities.”

In a remote village in Haryana, TACO becomes a lifeline for animals and their human companions. Established by Vedanta’s Anil Agarwal Foundation, the veterinary centre not only treats sick and injured animals but also fosters a culture of responsible animal care, highlighting the deep connection between animal well-being and community health.

A bone-jarring crash shattered the silence of the night at Faizupur Khadar, jolting Shiv Kumar, the school principal, from his slumber. Heart pounding, he rushed out and found a horrifying scene – a large bull lay sprawled on the road, bleeding and groaning in agony. A speeding truck was already a disappearing speck in the distance. Without hesitation, Kumar dialled a number he knew by heart.

Enter TACO, The Animal Care Organisation, a beacon of hope for animals in Faizupur Khadar and nearby villages. This unique veterinary centre that also has a shelter has been helping, healing, and safeguarding animals round the clock since April 2022, when AAF established it with state-of-the-art facilities. It’s no surprise that the people in these parts are beholden to this veterinary care and animal shelter.

Ask 65-year-old Somvati, who can’t stop thanking the initiative. “Animals get sick just like us,” she says. “Broken bones, heart trouble, infections—if left untreated, they could die. That used to be a common sight here. But thanks to TACO, our animals are healthy and thriving!” These healthy animals, in turn, contribute directly to the well-being of families.

Dharam Singh Nambardar knows this first-hand. His cow’s painful udder infection threatened their livelihood. “TACO’s doctors were fast and efficient,” he recalls. “The right medication got her back on her feet, and now she is as healthy as before.

The impact goes beyond individual animals. Sarpanch Kamal Singh, the village head, sees TACO as a game-changer. “Earlier, taking a sick animal to another village or waiting for a vet – who might not even show up – was our only option. Our animals suffered, and so did we.” Fortunately, those days are gone. “Now, a simple call to TACO brings an ambulance right here,” says Singh, echoing the relief of the entire village.

He and the villagers are also grateful for the care extended to stray animals. Because the village is close to the highway, accidents and hit-and-runs involving animals are common. But now help is just a phone call away, and these injurystricken animals need not die.

R The dedicated team of TACO, stands strong in their commitment to animal welfare in Faijpur Khaadar