PM Modi Urges Anganwadis To Become Centres Of Community Participation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged states to transform Anganwadi Centres into community participation hubs, strengthen child nutrition and improve women’s safety through coordinated departmental action.

Addressing the concluding session of the two-day National Departmental Summit on Women and Child Development at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, he called for closer Centre-State cooperation to improve nutrition, early childhood care, child protection and women’s empowerment.

PM Modi stressed Jan Bhagidari, encouraging neighbourhood families to contribute nutritious food, toys and locally relevant items for children on special occasions.

He proposed district-level, municipal and metropolitan Chintan Shivirs for Better Coordination to replicate the summit’s approach. Dedicated meetings for Anganwadi workers would enable them to share field experiences, innovations and practical solutions.

The Prime Minister urged universities to adopt nearby Anganwadi Centres and conduct social-impact assessments. Medical students, National Service Scheme volunteers and National Cadet Corps members could participate in centre activities and community initiatives.

He highlighted adolescent girls’ health, nutrition and overall development as priorities. For women’s safety, he advocated preventive measures involving multiple departments and age-appropriate educational modules promoting dignity, safety and empowerment.

Prime Minister Modi linked cleanliness with public health and nutrition, urging Women and Child Development Departments nationwide to take ownership of the Swachhata Abhiyan. Anganwadis and local communities, he said, could encourage cleanliness and behavioural change.

He called for promoting Vocal for Local and One District One Product to expand women’s economic independence. Women’s collectives could strengthen local products and generate livelihood opportunities.

The summit brought together ministers and senior officials from states and Union Territories to improve service delivery through coordination.

Prime Minister Modi said the ministry and its state counterparts serve a substantial section of society. Children nurtured in Anganwadis today, he added, would become citizens responsible for building Viksit Bharat.