Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Pics: Prince Mahesh
Udupi, Sep 21: Anganwady workers Delphine D'Souza and Savithramma made the state proud when they won the National Anganwady Workers' Award by the ministry of women and child development, government of India, at New Delhi, for exceptional achievement in child development and related areas for the year, under the Integrated child development scheme.
The national award was presented recently to 51 awardees by union women and child development minister Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, at a glittering ceremony at the national capital.
Delphine D'Souza comes from Perampally Anganwady Kendra, Udupi, and Savithramma, from Chitradurga.
Maneka Gandhi congratulated the awardees and exhorted them to keep up their dedication for the cause of child development, community mobilisation and creation of awareness for the next generation, while delivering their ICDS services.
"When the services started, the responsibility of taking care of small children was handed over to the Anganwady workers across the country," Gandhi explained.
The minister said that so far, the role of Anganwady workers has revolved mainly around the distribution and provision of food to children and lactating mothers. However, the government is now shifting the emphasis to convert Anganwady into the centres of pre-school education.
As a result, a massive exercise is being launched to train the Anganwady workers to become pre-school teachers, the minister said.
There are currently about 27 lac Anganwady workers and helpers in around 14 lac Anganwady centres across the country.
The Anganwady workers received a cash prize of Rs 25, 000 and a citation.
About Delphine D'Souza
Extremely popular Anganwady worker, Delphine D'Souza, has been in the service for 28 long years in Perampally, without expecting a thing in return. She attracts kids with her humble character. She is now teaching a second generation of children. A proud teacher Delphine, has her excellence go beyond the classroom, with backyard gardening.
In conversation with Daijiworld, Delphine D'Souza said, "My family and I are very happy about the award. I never expected such a prestigious award this soon. I have complete satisfaction in my duty. Moreover, I have believed it a service. I dedicate this award to all donors, those from my village and my parents for having helped me throughout my profession. I have put my sincere effort for the betterment of children and I have never chosen this profession for making money. My love for children made me to join the profession,"
Recollecting her memories Delphine said, "I joined this profession on December 26, 1988, for a salary of Rs 300, after which I underwent three months training in Ullal. Back then, there were 60 children in the Anganwady. But now, only 20 children learn here. Due to people's inclination for English medium schools the enrolment in Anganwady decreases every year. It makes me upset.
"In the beginning, I went through tough times to run the Anganwady due to lack of infrastructure. Later we approached donors. They responded positively. Since then we have been able to provide the required facilities along with nutritious food to children here," she added.
Delphine further said, "I have worked for the Saksharatha mission and taught many illiterates. People still remember me for it and it makes me very proud as a teacher.
I have also towards getting Bhagyalakshmi Scheme for 21 BPL children, maternity allowance, widow allowance and benefit for specially challenged people this far. I have been conducting the Pulse Polio campaign for twenty years now. The campaign is conducted every month as a two-day duty and three-day door-to-door visit scheme. I have ensured the availing of benefits of 'my daughter my strength' for three children. I have conducted surveys for the construction of toilets in the village. The government have provided all the facilities for poor but there is a need to create awareness among them."
"It award is not just mine. It is ours. I would like to thank each of those who helped me get this noble award," Delphine said.
National Anganwady Workers' Award
The scheme for awarding Anganwady workers at the national level and state level was formulated by the government during the year 2000-2001. The scheme has continued on an annual basis ever since.
As per guidelines, national level awards are given to those workers nominated by states or union territories from among states or union territory-level awardees. The number of nominations of Anganwady workers at national level depends on the size of the state or union territory, and the operational ICDS projects.
Nominations received from states or union territories are screened by a selection committee after which a final selection for awards is made.
While the national level award comprises a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a citation, the state level award comprises a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a citation.
Selection of Anganwady workers for the national level awards has been from among the state level awardees. Their performance is judged on the basis of contribution to supplementary nutrition, child care, convergence with health department, pre-school education, nutrition and health education, community participation, cleanliness and hygiene, and innovation.
With inputs from agencies