Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 14: Anganwadi centres, the first stage of a child’s learning process, are the spots where latent talents begin to flourish. These Anganwadis are spread over every village and residential locality. Anganwadi centres also serve as the centre for all the activities in the area. They serve by administering polio drops, vaccinations of the health department, providing nutritious food to pregnant women and the mothers after giving birth. They also are used to extend different training and provide information, issue electoral voting cards, and to hold small level government programmes.

In spite of their busy schedule, the Anganwadis are always ready for the games and learning of the children. They happen to be the centres where the children begin to build blocks of knowledge. By providing the infrastructure needed for overall development, they provide a good opportunity for the children to grow. As such, the then zilla panchayat chief executive officer here, Dr M R Ravi, had asked Nirmiti Kendra to prepare and submit a project report towards the construction of model Anganwadi buildings by giving a thought to pave way for integrated development of the children and allowing them to blossom there.

The executive director of Nirmiti Kendra, Rajendra Kalbavi, working with his team, has built around 22 Anganwadi buildings in the district so far. On the basis of this experience, the model Anganwadi building was christened as 'Ajjimane' and a project report was prepared. The zilla panchayat chief executive officer approached Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) to sanction grants under its corporate social responsibility fund. MRPL approved the proposal and gave its nod to build three Anganwadi buildings in the taluk.

Now, 'Ajjimane' Anganwadi centres have been built at Bengre in Mangaluru south constituency, Katipalla in Mangaluru North constituency and Moodushedde Yedurupadavu in Moodbidri constituency. They have been designed in an artistic way with a courtyard to play, room to sleep, kitchen, hall and toilet, all of which together give a feeling of visiting the house of grandmother.

A flower garden, earthworm manure unit, rainwater harvesting system, solar lighting etc have been provided to all the three buildings. The total cost of the work is about Rs 25 lac.

For attracting the attention of the children, writings on the wall and rural paintings have been provided. LED light has been provided. There is space to grow vegetables by making use of earthworm manure. For protection, a high compound wall has been built so that the children can play inside and move about freely. A play area with slide and space for other games has been provided.

The 'Ajjimane' has been designed by Bharatram Jeppu based on Greenmark architecture. He also has done internal designing. Assistant engineer of Nirmiti Kendra, Navit, has supervised the works.

The Anganwadi Centre at Bengre was inaugurated recently while those at Katipalla and Yedurupadavu are complete and ready for inaugural.