An Anganwadi Centre (AWC) in Madanpur village under Kolnara block of Rayagada district depicts a sorry state of affairs. The village is just two km from the block headquarters and 15 km from the district headquarters town, yet none seems to have taken note of it.
Unfortunately, the AWC is functioning from a very old and abandoned school building having a cracked asbestos roof. Rain water seeps into the room even during light drizzle. Interestingly, all the activities like taking weights, measurements, ECCE and play activities along with pregnant and lactating mother's meeting, etc. are conducted in the single dingy room.
All the instruments, teaching learning aids and play materials, besides eggs, rice and other cooking materials, are stocked inside the same room with a floor whose plasters have peeled off. The room is damp even during the ongoing winter season and not at all fit for the children’s health.
The children in two rows sit in front of a shabby kitchen running in yet another abandoned building. The Anganwadi Worker, a tribal woman hailing from the same village, said that she had apprised about the issues time and again to the Supervisor, CDBO and BDO, Kolnara but in
vain.
Meanwhile, the District Social Welfare Officer, Rayagada shifted the blame to the Anganwadi worker saying that she had instructed her to shift the AWC.