Meghalaya: Anganwadi center, destroyed 16 years ago

Anganwadi center

Ampati: An anganwadi center in Geolgray village of South West Garo Hills district (SWGH), which was damaged in a cyclone 16 years ago, is in a dilapidated condition even in 2022.

“The building was damaged in a cyclone in 2005 or 2006. During the cyclone, a huge tree that was nearby fell on top of the structure and completely destroyed it,” said an anganwadi worker in the village on condition of anonymity but there was damage,” said an anganwadi worker from the village on condition of anonymity.
This building comes under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of the Department of Social Welfare. The Anganwadi Center is responsible for taking care of the nutritional needs of the children and women of the village.

However, there was no place to store food.
For some years an anganwadi worker used his house as a warehouse. Eventually, a village community center was set up along with the anganwadi center and the villagers agreed to keep the equipment in a room there.

“This is a temporary solution. If the ICDS building is repaired, we can go back to it again,” said an anganwadi worker.
At present the building looks like a cow shed with no roof even as wild vegetation has taken over the compound. According to the worker, the damage has been reported to the department on several occasions, without any action being taken.
“We have stopped complaining because it has become hopeless to get funds for repairs. These assets should have been maintained but it seems that once you help build the structure, the department takes care of it. avoids further responsibility,” said a resident of the same village.
Child Development Project Officer, ICDS, SWGH said that many structures in the district are in a dilapidated condition, and that the department is working in phases to build new Anganwadi centres.

“Currently around 25 centers are being worked on in Betasing block alone,” the official added.