The Crossbill News Desk
An anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village of Odisha’s Kendrapada district resumed near-normal functioning on Monday (February 16) after remaining virtually deserted for three months following the appointment of a Dalit helper-cum-cook.
The turnaround came after sustained intervention by the district administration and a series of meetings with villagers.
The centre had witnessed zero attendance since November 20, when 21-year-old Sarmista Sethi officially joined as helper-cum-cook. Even parents of children below three years of age and a lactating mother, who are entitled to take home rations, had stopped visiting the facility in protest, The Indian Express reported.
Following multiple rounds of discussions, including a key meeting on Saturday, officials conducted awareness and outreach programmes in the village.
On Monday, 15 of the 20 enrolled children in the three-to-six age group attended the centre and ate the meal prepared by Sarmista, who had faced the boycott.
Parents of younger children also agreed to resume collecting government-provided rations. Local BJD MLA Dhruba Sahoo and senior district officials visited the village and accompanied the children to the centre.
Expressing relief, Sarmista told the newspaper, “I am happy that the parents have brought their kids to the anganwadi centres and assured that they will send them every day. I want them to avail the facilities provided by the government and study well, as they are the future of this village and country.”
Kendrapada Child Development Project Officer Deepali Mishra said, “It will send a positive message to the society. Senior district administration officials have assured to fulfil the villagers’ demands, like a permanent space for the anganwadi centre.”
Villagers indicated that tensions had eased after the latest round of talks. Nuagaon resident Govardhan Pradhan said the community changed its stance after Saturday’s meeting and that such an incident would not recur.
Sarmista, the first graduate from her community and the only applicant from the village for the post, receives a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000.
Despite being overqualified, she took up the position to support her family and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher. She is currently enrolled in a long-distance diploma course in early childhood care education to advance that ambition.
The turnaround came after sustained intervention by the district administration and a series of meetings with villagers.
The centre had witnessed zero attendance since November 20, when 21-year-old Sarmista Sethi officially joined as helper-cum-cook. Even parents of children below three years of age and a lactating mother, who are entitled to take home rations, had stopped visiting the facility in protest, The Indian Express reported.
Following multiple rounds of discussions, including a key meeting on Saturday, officials conducted awareness and outreach programmes in the village.
On Monday, 15 of the 20 enrolled children in the three-to-six age group attended the centre and ate the meal prepared by Sarmista, who had faced the boycott.
Parents of younger children also agreed to resume collecting government-provided rations. Local BJD MLA Dhruba Sahoo and senior district officials visited the village and accompanied the children to the centre.
Expressing relief, Sarmista told the newspaper, “I am happy that the parents have brought their kids to the anganwadi centres and assured that they will send them every day. I want them to avail the facilities provided by the government and study well, as they are the future of this village and country.”
Kendrapada Child Development Project Officer Deepali Mishra said, “It will send a positive message to the society. Senior district administration officials have assured to fulfil the villagers’ demands, like a permanent space for the anganwadi centre.”
Villagers indicated that tensions had eased after the latest round of talks. Nuagaon resident Govardhan Pradhan said the community changed its stance after Saturday’s meeting and that such an incident would not recur.
Sarmista, the first graduate from her community and the only applicant from the village for the post, receives a monthly honorarium of Rs 5,000.
Despite being overqualified, she took up the position to support her family and pursue her goal of becoming a teacher. She is currently enrolled in a long-distance diploma course in early childhood care education to advance that ambition.
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