Vedanta’s Nand Ghar crosses 10,000 mark across 16 States

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 14, 2025

This Children’s Day, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the social impact arm of Vedanta Group — India’s leading energy, transition metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power, and technology conglomerate — celebrated a landmark moment in India’s social impact journey. Nand Ghar, Vedanta’s flagship social initiative, has surpassed the 10,000-center milestone across 16 states, transforming the lives of over 4 lakh children and 3 lakh women every day.

Nand Ghar is redefining India’s Anganwadi system by modernizing rural centers and empowering women and children through improved nutrition, early education, healthcare, and skill development. Aligned with the Government of India’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), which marks its 50th anniversary this year, the initiative represents a significant leap in transforming traditional Anganwadis into modern, technology-enabled hubs that deliver measurable impact at the grassroots level.

With 531 Nand Ghars in Odisha, 262 in Chhattisgarh, and many more across India, each center is a model of transformation — equipped with smart classrooms, digital learning tools, BaLA (Building as Learning Aid) designs, reliable electricity, safe drinking water, hygienic sanitation, and child-friendly furniture. These centers create safe, inclusive, and inspiring spaces for children aged 3–6 years. Beyond early learning, Nand Ghars also serve as vibrant community hubs where nutrition programs, health check-ups, immunization drives, and women’s skilling initiatives converge, fostering healthier and more resilient villages.

Launched under the vision of Vedanta’s Chairman, Anil Agarwal, the Nand Ghar initiative has evolved into a nationwide movement. Speaking on this milestone, Agarwal said, “When we started the Nand Ghar journey, the dream was simple — to ensure every child gets the right nutrition and early education, and every woman has the opportunity to stand on her own feet. Today, on Children’s Day, as we cross the 10,000 Nand Ghars milestone across 16 states, that dream is becoming a reality. Each Nand Ghar is a symbol of empowerment, education, and aspiration. This milestone has been possible only because of the unwavering partnership and support of the Government of India, state governments, and local communities. My heartfelt gratitude to everyone who believes in this vision. We are fully committed to transforming the lives of 8 crore children and 2 crore women across India. I invite people from all walks of life to join us on this mission.”

From the mineral-rich landscapes of Odisha to the deserts of Rajasthan, the lush regions of Chhattisgarh, and the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Nand Ghar has transformed traditional Anganwadis into vital hubs of local development. Children receive hot-cooked meals and nutrition supplements, with over 80 lakh supplements distributed, alongside digital learning modules in regional languages to ensure a strong foundation for preschool education. Regular health screenings and awareness drives have improved maternal and child health, positively impacting more than 90 lakh community members. Vocational training in priority trades is enabling thousands of women to earn up to Rs 10,000 per month, fostering lasting economic independence and social dignity.

To deepen its impact at scale, Nand Ghar has carried out large-scale infrastructure upgrades, ensuring that every center is digitally enabled and sustainably powered. These upgrades have helped Nand Ghar emerge as a replicable model for integrated community development, bridging last-mile gaps and amplifying government efforts in child welfare and women’s empowerment.

Anju Vaisnav, a Nand Ghar Didi from Korba, Chhattisgarh, shared, “Before Nand Ghar, our Anganwadi was just a small room. Today, it is filled with facilities! Children love coming here, and mothers trust us more than ever. With smart TVs, clean facilities, and nutritious meals, our Nand Ghar has become a place of learning and joy.”

Rekha, a mother from Odisha, added, “Nand Ghar has changed how our village looks at women. I learned new skills, started earning, and now teach others too. When women grow, the whole community grows, and that’s what Nand Ghar has brought to our lives.”

Children’s Day celebrations this year were even more special as they marked the completion of 10,000 Nand Ghars. Across multiple states, centers came alive with art, storytelling, and community activities that united children, mothers, and local leaders in a joyful celebration.

With a growing presence in Rajasthan, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and other states, Nand Ghar is steadily expanding its footprint across India’s rural heartland. The next ambitious goal is to establish 25,000 Nand Ghars in Rajasthan over the next two years, impacting two million lives and setting a new benchmark for public–private collaboration in community transformation.