New Delhi, 31 October (H.S.): Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta has emphasised that strengthening Anganwadi services must begin with empowering the women working at the grassroots level. He said Anganwadi workers serve as a vital link between government welfare schemes and the families for whom these initiatives are designed.

Merely acknowledging their contribution in words is not enough; they must be provided with meaningful support that makes their day-to-day responsibilities easier, Vijender Gupta said.

He made these remarks on Saturday at a programme organised at Aggarwal Dharamshala in Sector 8, Rohini, as part of the 9th National Nutrition Month.

On the occasion, bags and essential kits were distributed among Anganwadi workers to facilitate their field activities and routine responsibilities. Organised under the theme ‘Hamari Anganwadi, Hamari Zimmedari’ (Our Anganwadi, Our Responsibility), the programme placed particular emphasis on developing Anganwadi centres as community hubs for nutrition, early childhood development and family welfare.

Addressing the gathering, Vijender Gupta highlighted the indispensable role played by Anganwadi workers in ensuring that essential nutrition and welfare services reach the most vulnerable sections of society. He said these frontline workers are often the first point of contact for pregnant women, young children and families requiring nutritional assistance.

He explained that the distribution of field kits was intended to make their everyday work easier, particularly household visits, community outreach and awareness campaigns, while strengthening their ability to deliver services more effectively.

Vijender Gupta also stressed the need to strengthen Anganwadi centres as institutions of community participation and collective responsibility. He observed that nutrition and development during early childhood lay the foundation for a healthier and more productive society.

He further said that closer coordination among frontline workers, families and local communities was essential to achieving better nutrition outcomes. Providing Anganwadi workers with adequate resources and institutional support, he added, was crucial to expanding the reach and improving the effectiveness of welfare schemes.

The programme reiterated the objectives of the Poshan Abhiyaan, with particular emphasis on promoting nutritional awareness, strengthening early childhood care and encouraging a sense of community ownership and participation in Anganwadi centres.

Vijender Gupta reiterated that recognising the contribution of frontline workers and extending practical support to them were essential to ensuring that nutrition initiatives brought meaningful and positive changes to the lives of women and children.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar