Sheela Sheikh- Village Bhagat Chawki , Block Nawagadi, Munger District, Bihar Sheela Sheikh primarily reports on issues related to women and Dalits When Sheela Sheikh was eight years old, her father’s death forced her family to overcome many new challenges, especially in situations that required combating patriarchal systems. When Sheela began working for the government, corruption and gender discrimination prevented…

Sheela Sheikh

In 1975 the Indian government decided as part of the Integrated Child Development Services program to introduce the Anganwadi scheme. The aim was to combat child hunger and malnutrition by providing basic health care in Indian villages.  The following were encompassed in the scheme: contraceptive counseling and supply, nutrition education and supplementation, as well as pre-school activities.  An Anganwadi centre is meant to be in very village, to provide education and better health facilities and nutritious meals.   Call to Action: Currently there is no Anganwadi in Bajarangbali Nagar Village and you need to help change this by calling:   Ranju Kumari, CDOP (Child Development Program Officer), Munger District, Bihar, Tel: 9431995569     CC Shila Shek investigates the reasons for the lack of Anganwadi in Bajarangbali Nagar Village, Sadar Block, Munger District, Bihar.   Lakshmi Kumari explains how there is not a single Anganwadi centre in the Bajarangbali Nagar. Thus poor children cannot go to school.  Pregnant women and expecting mothers are not receiving their quota in rations either.  She further informs how a center was meant to be opened and run by a lady called Rita Devi who insteadsent the proposal back.   Having spoken to our Correspondent we learnt that Rita Devi was selected to work at the village Anganwadi.  However, having been also offered a job as a nurse in the local district declined the offer. Lakshmi Kumari’sfamily tried to get her the post however Rita Devi did not allow this.  We now know that Rita Devi wants to take up the post in Anganwadi, but we need your support to make that happen.   Through similar case, Community Correspondent Sunita, our Community Correspondent in Rajasthan managed to end corruption with hervideo.  This goes to show just how powerful a community’s voice teamed with a camera is.   Today, you can help the pregnant and expecting mothers and children of Bajarangbali Nagar Village receive their Anganwadi.  ACT NOW!   Watch more videos like this by clicking on this link. To volunteer your time to help build and design Anganwadi’s check this Australian partnership website.   Written by Manjinder Singh Sidhu