Bhubaneswar, 16 February (H.S.) : On Monday, children returned to the Anganwadi centre in Nuagaon, situated in the Rajnagar block. This marked the resumption of normal operations after the centre had been closed for nearly three months due to alleged caste-related tensions.

The centre had been shut for 86 days following objections by some villagers after a Dalit woman was appointed as an Anganwadi helper. Activities restarted after sustained intervention by the administration and community outreach efforts.

The Child Development Project Officer and the local MLA visited the centre as children returned. Officials also conducted door-to-door interactions and held a gram sabha, assuring residents that their concerns would be addressed. Earlier, on February 14, members of the Child Protection Commission and district officials had counselled villagers, after which parents agreed to send their children back.

Anganwadi helper Sarmistha Sethi expressed happiness over the reopening and said sweets were distributed to the children. CDPO Dipali Mishra said the resolution of the issue would set a positive example and enable beneficiaries to access government services.

Authorities said the restoration of classes was made possible through collective cooperation between the administration and the local community.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda