• Modernised Anganwadi centres that focus on early childhood education, child health & nutrition and women empowerment
• 50 Nand Ghars set to impact over 2,000 children and 1,500 women in rural communities
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh : In a landmark moment for early childhood development and community empowerment, Nand Ghar, Vedanta’s flagship social impact initiative, today inaugurated 50 modernised Nand Ghars in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), making Andhra Pradesh the newest state to join the Pan – India Nand Ghar movement spanning 17 states with over 11,000 Nand Ghars across the country. The inauguration was held in the august presence of Shri M. N. Harendhira Prasad, Collector and District Magistrate of Visakhapatnam, and Mr. Gopal Mandelia, CEO – Vizag General Cargo Berth (VGCB), a Vedanta Group company. This marks a significant step towards strengthening grassroots social infrastructure and women & child development in Andhra Pradesh. The event highlighted Nand Ghar’s work in Vizag through a short film, featured interactions around promoting child-safe indigenous toys, included gift distribution for children, and a plantation drive with the community members.
The newly developed Nand Ghars in Visakhapatnam are expected to positively impact over 2,000 children and 1,500 women, delivering integrated services across child health & nutrition, early learning and women empowerment. The initiative aims to strengthen early childhood outcomes while creating sustainable pathways for women to build skills, confidence, and livelihoods within their communities.
Through this expansion, Nand Ghar continues to redefine India’s Anganwadi ecosystem by transforming rural Anganwadi centres into modern, aspirational, technology-enabled community hubs. The 50 Nand Ghars in Visakhapatnam are equipped with child-friendly infrastructure, digital early learning tools, fortified nutrition support, and dedicated spaces for women-led skilling and activities, enabling integrated delivery of early education, healthcare awareness, and livelihood opportunities.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shashi Arora, CEO, Nand Ghar said, “The inauguration of 50 Nand Ghars in Visakhapatnam is a proud milestone for us as Andhra Pradesh joins the Nand Ghar movement. As its 17th state in the country, this expansion is a reaffirmation of our commitment to strengthening the Anganwadi ecosystem by nurturing children in their formative years, empowering women, and enabling local communities to thrive”
With a pan-India network of almost 11,000 Nand Ghars across the country, the initiative has already touched the lives of over 4 lakh children and 3 lakh women, delivering measurable improvements in nutrition, early learning, and community engagement. The expansion into Andhra Pradesh further strengthens Nand Ghar’s vision of building a unified and scalable model for early childhood care and development across India.
The expansion in Visakhapatnam is closely aligned with Vedanta Group’s long-standing presence and commitment to Andhra Pradesh, where its business operations are deeply rooted in community development and inclusive growth. Through VGCB’s support, the Nand Ghar initiative will leverage local partnerships, on-ground insights, and institutional capacity to strengthen the Anganwadi ecosystem at scale. Implemented in close coordination with state authorities, Anganwadi workers, and local communities, the Nand Ghar model ensures that each centre is locally rooted while contributing to broader national priorities in early childhood development and women’s empowerment.
Reflecting on the milestone, VGCB CEO, Mr. Gopal Mandelia shared, “The inauguration of 50 Nand Ghars in Visakhapatnam reflects VGCB’s deep commitment to inclusive growth and community-led development. By supporting the modernization of Anganwadis in Andhra Pradesh, we are investing in the health, education, and potential of the next generation, while creating sustainable opportunities for women at the grassroots. This initiative reinforces our belief that meaningful progress is achieved when development, partnership, and purpose come together.”
Looking ahead, Nand Ghar’s expansion in Andhra Pradesh will focus on scaling impact, strengthening service delivery at the last mile, and translating early investments into measurable gains in nutrition, learning outcomes, and women’s participation.
