July 21, 2023, New Delhi: Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the philanthropic arm of Vedanta, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR- NIN) to partner in its future endeavors and provide technical advice in public health nutrition activities being carried out under its pan – India women and child welfare project Nand Ghar.
The MoU was signed between Dr. R Hemalatha, Director, ICMR- NIN and Dr. Richa Malik, Head – Nutrition, Nand Ghar, Anil Agarwal Foundation in the presence of Dr. Avula Laxmaiah, Former Scientist G & Head of
Public Health Nutrition Division, ICMR- NIN and Mr. Khurram Naayab – Head of Operations, Nand GharAnil Agarwal Foundation.
As part of this collaboration, NIN would support Anil Agarwal Foundation to strengthen the nutrition model for Nand Ghar in the sphere of women & child development with an aim to ensure that all children, women, and the community at large adopt nutrition-sensitive practices. This will further reinforce in establishing convergence through Govt. liaison and the existing ICDS, WCD program.
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In 2023, the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) launched a nutrition initiative for children, providing multimillet nutri-bars rich in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
This 6-month pilot project that was kickstarted in March aligns with the government’s push to promote millet in daily diets and further their mission of
making India malnutrition-free.
AAF is distributing 9 million nutri bars to almost 50,000 children aged 3- 6 years daily across 1400 aanganwadis including Nand Ghars in Varanasi district, every day, thus aiming to improve the daily nutrient intake of children, boost cognitive development, and reduce absenteeism while increasing enrolment in pre-schools.
The pilot initiative by Anil Agarwal Foundation has also received a letter of appreciation from Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR for its efforts to drive a positive impact by including millet in children’s daily diet and furthering POSHAN 2.0 as well as the millet mission of the country.
About Anil Agarwal Foundation
The Anil Agarwal Foundation is the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s community and social initiatives. The focus areas of the Foundation are Healthcare, Women and Child development, Animal Welfare Projects, and Sports Initiatives. Anil Agarwal Foundation aims to empower communities, transform lives, and facilitate nation building through sustainable and inclusive growth.
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About Nand Ghar
The flagship social impact project- Nand Ghar, under the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Vedanta, is a model project working towards strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem of the country.
The 5500+ Nand Ghars are the enabler of change and sustainable development with presence in 14 states across India and currently impacting more than 2.20 lakh children and 1.65 lakh women. Set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), Nand Ghars are modernized ‘Anganwadis’ working to eradicate malnutrition among children, provide pre-primary education, preventative and curative healthcare, and empower rural women through skill training.
Nand Ghars, the state-of-the-art Anganwadis, are aimed at transforming the lives of 7 crore children and 2 crore women across the 13.7 lakh Anganwadis across the country. Nand Ghars is equipped with solar panels to ensure 24×7 electricity, water purifiers, clean toilets, and smart television sets, and have become a model resource centre for the local communities. Pre-school education is provided to children in the age group of 3-6 years. Nutritious meals and take-home rations are being provided for children, pregnant and lactating women. Primary healthcare services are rendered through mobile health vans and telemedicine services, women are empowered through skilling and enterprise development.
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