DELHI: Nand Ghar, which aims to transform 14 lakh angawadis across India, unveiled a national movement – Agar Bachpan Se Poocha Khaana Khaya, Toh Desh Ka Kal Banaya (अगर बचपन से पूछा खाना खाया तो देश का कल बनाया) with Actor Manoj Bajpayee. This movement by Nand Ghar is aimed at nourishing India’s future generation by ensuring holistic healthcare, quality nutrition and ensuring best-in-class preschool education for children.

Welcoming Manoj Bajpayee in joining this movement,Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta said, “Project Nand Ghar is a national movement that supports the overall well-being of children and women with a focus on health and nutrition. We are delighted that Manoj Bajpayee ji has extended his support to this growing movement. His personal life story deeply resonates with Nand Ghar’s cause to nourish and transform the lives of our future generations.”

In the heartwarming campaign launch today, Manoj Bajpayee was seen narrating his personal journey as a young theatre actor and outlined the invaluable support of his friends in ensuring regular nutritious meals for him while pursuing the acting dream. Bajpayee poignantly describes an artist’s struggle, acknowledging that the strength to pursue one’s dreams comes from a full stomach and wholesome food. Bajpayee further urged people to extend their support by visiting www.nandghar.org and to donate, volunteer or partner with Nand Ghar.

Enthused about his association with Nand Ghar, Manoj Bajpayee said, “As someone who has lived with hunger pangs, I understand the deep impact it can have on physical, mental and emotional well-being. That’s why initiatives like Project Nand Ghar are so crucial. It not only ensures that children receive proper nutrition but also brings hope, opportunity, and a chance for a brighter future. Let’s all join hands with the Nand Ghar movement to ensure that we nourish the potential of children, and together, prepare for a brighter India.”

Sharing his thoughts on the movement conceptualised by McCann, Prasoon Joshi, CEO & CCO at McCann Worldgroup India and Chairman, Asia Pacific said “If we want to give our children a genuine chance at realizing their true potential, then well-rounded nutrition is essential.  What better way to highlight this than to bring forth some of India’s most famous sons and daughters who have faced this hurdle in their journey.”

Nand Ghar is the flagship project of Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF) and has been working towards ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry – a dream of Chairman Anil Agarwal. In a milestone moment for Nand Ghar,  we have been successful in reducing malnutrition levels while increasing pre-schoolers’ attendance at Nand Ghars across 14 states in India. Last year, AAF also launched multi-millet nutri bars which are currently being distributed daily to 50,000 children between 3-6 years across 1364 Anganwadis in Varanasi. These bars, rich in protein, fibre, and antioxidants have not only improved the daily nutrient intake of children, but also, reduced absenteeism.

With credible voices joining the #KhanaKhayaKya movement, Nand Ghar is inviting citizens and like-minded organisations to partake in this journey of transformation. It is paving the way to realise the dream of a better tomorrow for our nation. 

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Nand Ghar, an innovative social impact project by Anil Agarwal Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Vedanta Limited, is a model project working to strengthen the Anganwadi ecosystem of India. It has reimagined traditional Anganwadis, government infrastructure addressing the education, nutrition, and health needs of children and lactating women, into “Nand Ghars” – a Home for a Young One. By leveraging innovative solutions encompassing health, nutrition, education, and women’s empowerment through skilling, it aims to uplift the lives of women and children across rural India. Since its inception, Nand Ghar has empowered 1.2 lakh women, providing them with income opportunities of up to INR 12,000 per month and helping them establish businesses in sectors ranging from textiles to data entry to dairy farming.

Titled Boosting Livelihood Opportunities for Women – the compendium compiles the journey of nineteen corporations that have successfully rolled out programs to empower rural women, including landless farmers, women with disabilities, and those residing in remote regions. The compendium underscores the pivotal role played by women in driving both economic and social progress, recognizing their potential as a catalyst for accelerated economic growth in ‘New India.’ The compendium serves as a testament to the exemplary CSR efforts of the Anil Agarwal Foundation in empowering women in rural and semi-urban areas by creating sustainable livelihoods for them.

Anil Agarwal Foundation, in alignment with the vision of an empowered nation, has taken the lead in implementing women-focused sustainable livelihood programs to address skilling and employability opportunities for women. Recently, its flagship project Nand Ghar collaborated with Rajasthan Skill and Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which RSLDC will provide support for training, certification, and placement support to the beneficiaries of Nand Ghar, which will serve as hubs for skill development and entrepreneurship training. Through this, AAF aims to empower women by providing them with the necessary skills and resources to enhance their livelihood opportunities, making them financially independent.

AAF, with the backing of Vedanta, has already constructed and upgraded over 5,500 Anganwadi Centres into Nand Ghars across 14 states in India. Earlier, AAF had signed an MoU with the Government of Rajasthan to upgrade 25,000 Anganwadi Centres into Nand Ghars in the state.

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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