Under the leadership of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Government has intensified its focus on strengthening early childhood care, nutrition and foundational education across the state. With a vision of inclusive growth, the government aims to ensure that every child receives adequate support to grow, learn and succeed.
Child nutrition and early development have been placed at the core of the state’s governance agenda. Recognising the importance of balanced nutrition for physical and cognitive growth, the government has enhanced services through 18,925 Anganwadi Centres functioning as community support hubs. The growth of children up to six years of age is monitored regularly to ensure timely intervention. During the current financial year, Rs. 113 crore has been spent under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, while Rs. 1516.09 lakh has been utilised under the Special Nutrition Programme.
In a major step towards integrating early learning with formal schooling, all Anganwadi Centres have been declared “Anganwadi Co-Schools.” A state-level joint committee headed by the Secretary (Education) has been constituted to implement guidelines for co-locating Anganwadi Centres with schools, in alignment with central government directives.
Further strengthening early childhood infrastructure, 1,030 Saksham Anganwadi Centres have been approved across the state, including 100 in Chamba district. Capacity-building initiatives are underway, with senior officials trained as Master Trainers who will, in turn, train Anganwadi workers to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
The Chief Minister has also launched the Mukhyamantri Bal Poshan Aahar Yojna to provide nutritious meals to 5.34 lakh students in 15,181 government schools. The initiative reinforces the principle that learning outcomes improve when hunger is eliminated.
Complementing this effort is the Kitchen Garden initiative, implemented in 14,464 schools. Seasonal vegetables and herbs grown within school premises are incorporated into mid-day meals, ensuring fresh and healthy food for students. Schools with limited space have adopted innovative container-based gardening methods, promoting sustainability and awareness about natural farming.
In recognition of the contribution of 21,115 mid-day meal workers, the government has enhanced their monthly honorarium by Rs. 500, increasing it to Rs. 5,000.
Through sustained investment, integrated planning and a child-centric approach, the Himachal Pradesh Government is working to ensure that nutritious food and quality early education are not privileges, but rights for every child, laying a strong foundation for a healthier and brighter future.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
