Gumla: The Gumla administration rolled out an initiative to celebrate the birthdays of children at the district’s anganwadi centres (AWCs), envisioning that even poor kids could experience the beginning of a joyful and secure childhood.Notably, a child’s birthday is celebrated in a well-decorated AWC. A cake is cut and birthday songs are sung. Since the initiative’s launch a week ago, such celebrations were hosted at 30 AWCs in the presence of anganwadi sewikas, sahayikas, parents, and local panchayat raj representatives.Gumla district, spread over 12 blocks, has 495 anganwadi centres. “The move also aims at transforming AWCs into centres of attraction for both children and their parents, and at creating an effective, affectionate, secure, and positive environment for them,” said an official.“It was really unimaginable for us to host such a memorable event, not only for poor children but also for us, parents, and others,” said an anganwadi sewika.Notably, the noble approach was conceptualised by Gumla DC Prerna Dixit.Speaking to TOI on Sunday, she said, “Celebrating birthdays at AWCs is a simple yet powerful way to make every child feel valued and included. Our aim is to ensure that AWCs are not just centres for nutrition and early education, but nurturing spaces where children experience joy, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.”
