Vedanta Group has reinforced its commitment to improving maternal and child health through its flagship social initiative, Nand Ghar, as the country prepares to observe World Breastfeeding Week. The programme continues to support mothers and young children by providing access to nutrition, healthcare, early childhood education and community-based counselling, helping lay the foundation for healthier families across rural India.
Operating through a network of more than 15,000 Nand Ghar centres across 18 states, the initiative currently reaches over four lakh women and more than five lakh children. By working in partnership with government health systems and local communities, Nand Ghar is strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots while promoting better nutrition and improved health outcomes for mothers and children.
Recognising that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life play a crucial role in physical and cognitive development, Nand Ghar focuses on equipping mothers with the knowledge and support needed during pregnancy and early childhood. The initiative promotes maternal nutrition, timely healthcare, breastfeeding awareness and child development through community engagement and regular health interventions.
This year’s World Breastfeeding Week is being observed under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” The campaign highlights the importance of early breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, appropriate complementary feeding and adherence to Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) guidelines. Nand Ghar also encourages the adoption of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) for low birth weight and premature babies, supporting improved survival and long-term development.
Aligned with the Government of India’s Saksham Anganwadi 2.0 programme and the National Health Mission, Nand Ghar delivers a wide range of maternal and child healthcare services. These include antenatal and postnatal care, nutrition counselling, immunisation drives, growth monitoring, health screening camps and community awareness programmes conducted in collaboration with local health authorities.
The initiative also organises counselling sessions, Poshan Maah campaigns and home visits to encourage healthy feeding practices and improve maternal nutrition. Fortified nutritional supplements are provided where required, while women with high-risk pregnancies and children requiring specialised medical attention are connected with appropriate healthcare facilities to ensure timely treatment and continued care.
Speaking on the occasion, Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar, said the first 1,000 days of life are critical in shaping a child’s future health and development. She said the initiative is helping build stronger community support systems by empowering women with accurate information, improving maternal and child health services and ensuring every child receives a healthy beginning. She added that Vedanta remains committed to creating healthier families through sustainable, community-driven programmes.
The impact of Nand Ghar is reflected in the work of community volunteers such as Anju Dubey, a Nand Ghar Didi from Khojwa in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. For more than a decade, she has guided pregnant women and new mothers on maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, child immunisation and growth monitoring. Her centre has become a trusted resource where women receive practical guidance and children benefit from improved care during their early years.
Beyond healthcare and nutrition, Nand Ghar brings together early childhood education, women’s skill development and community participation under one platform. By working closely with frontline health workers and government agencies, the initiative is creating stronger support systems for mothers while contributing to India’s efforts to improve maternal and child health nationwide.
Nand Ghar, the flagship social impact initiative of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, is transforming India’s Anganwadi centres into modern community hubs for women and children. Operating more than 15,000 Nand Ghars across 18 states, the programme offers integrated services including early childhood education, nutrition, healthcare and skill development for women. Today, it benefits over 5 lakh children and more than 4 lakh women. Through close collaboration with government programmes and local communities, Nand Ghar aims to strengthen maternal and child welfare while working towards its long-term vision of modernising all 14 lakh Anganwadis across the country, reaching nearly 8 crore children and 2 crore women.
Vedanta Group is a leading global natural resources, energy and technology company with businesses spanning metals, mining, oil and gas, power, critical minerals and technology. The company plays a key role in supplying essential materials that support infrastructure development, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. With operations across India, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia, Vedanta continues to contribute to economic growth while creating long-term value for its stakeholders. Sustainability remains central to its business strategy, with a strong focus on responsible operations, environmental stewardship, community development and its commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or earlier.
