Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel presented appointment letters to over 9,000 newly appointed Anganwadi workers and helpers at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, in the presence of Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Manisha Vakil.

As part of zone-wise appointment letter distribution programs across the state, ministers and officials handed over letters while participants also watched the broadcast of the state-level event in Gandhinagar.

Congratulating the new appointees, the Chief Minister said that Anganwadis represent the first step in a child’s development, emphasizing that the responsibility of nurturing the nation’s future rests with the Anganwadi sisters. He encouraged them to contribute to a prosperous India through a Viksit Gujarat and urged them to nurture a healthy generation for Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

The Chief Minister further said that to realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of nation-building through women’s empowerment, the state government is dedicated to ensuring the nutrition and health of mothers, along with the nutrition, health, and early education of young children.

He added that Anganwadi workers and helpers, entrusted with nurturing a child’s mind and shaping them into responsible future citizens, care for and guide children in the manner of Mata Yashoda.

Under Narendra Modi’s guidance, fully equipped Anganwadi–Nand Ghars have been established across Gujarat, modernizing old child-care setups in houses, panchayat halls, and temples. Today, over 53,000 Anganwadi centres are operational in the state.

Patel also shared details about the e-inauguration and foundation-laying of more than 170 new Anganwadi centres, along with plans to establish over 10,000 additional Nand Ghars in the coming years.

He highlighted nutrition-focused initiatives, including the Doodh Sanjeevani Yojana (fortified flavoured milk for tribal children), Poshan Sudha Yojana (protein-rich food for pregnant women), Take Home Ration, Mukhyamantri Matrushakti, and the Mukhyamantri Paushtik Alpahar Yojana, which benefits over 41 lakh children from Anganwadis to primary schools.

On the occasion, Dr. Manisha Vakil congratulated the new Anganwadi sisters, emphasizing that they are joining a mission to empower the future of children, not just government service. She described them as the first teachers of future citizens, whose efforts in education, values, and nutrition will shape Gujarat’s tomorrow.

The Minister added that the appointment letters are more than administrative documents, signifying the responsibility of nourishing and educating children. She also stressed that Anganwadi centres are the cornerstone of community building, ensuring that government schemes reach intended beneficiaries effectively.

Newly appointed Anganwadi workers and helpers from Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara zones received their letters at district-level events from ministers and dignitaries.

Dr. Vakil also visited various stalls at Mahatma Mandir, showcasing nutrition services, pre-primary education initiatives (Pa Pa Pagli), digital programs, and Poshan Sangam, gathering insights into their functioning. DeshGujarat