3rd Semester Internship Report on

A Survey on Anganwadi Centres in the

urban area of Jorhat District
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF
BTECH IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Submitted to
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Submitted By
Anupam Mahanta 21/116 210610002006
Rishav Ranjan Borah 21/303 210610002030
Ritisha Baruah 21/117 210610002031
Udipta Saikia 21/134 210610002045
 CERTIFICATE FROM
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

This is to certify that the 3rd semester internship report titled , “A SURVEY ON
ANGANWADI CENTRES IN THE URBAN AREA OF JORHAT DISTRICT” to create a
study on the problems faced by anganwadi centres.

Submitted By

ANUPAM MAHANTA 21/116 (210610002006)

RISHAV RANJAN BORAH 21/303 (210610002030)

RITISHA BARUAH 21/117 (210610002031)

UDIPTA SAIKIA 21/134 (210610002045)

is accepted in partial fulfillment of the requiremments for the award of the degree of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN MECHANICL ENGINEERING under ASSAM
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, Guwahati

HOD, Mechanical Engineering Internal Examiner

Date : Date :
 DECLARATION FROM THE AUTHOR

We ANUPAM MAHANTA 21/116 (210610002006), RISHAV RANJAN BORAH

21/303 (210610002030), RITISHA BARUAH 21/117 (210610002031) and UDIPTA SAIKIA
21/134 (210610002045) declare that:

1. The manuscript is not copied from any source , however, source (listed as references
page) has been consulted to write some pages of the report in my own language.

2. All information contained in this report is correct to the best of the knowledge and belief
of the author.

Name Roll No. Signature

ANUPAM MAHANTA 21/ 116 , 210610002006

RISHAV RANJAN BORAH 21/ 303 , 210610002030

RITISHA BARUAH 21/ 117 , 210610002031

UDIPTA SAIKIA 21/ 134 , 210610002045

Contents Page Number

 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is anganwadi centre?

1.2 A Brief History of Anganwadi Centres
1.3 Beneficiary and services
1.4 Identifying the problem

 CHAPTER 2: OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

2.1 Objective of The Survey:

2.2

 CHAPTER 3: REASEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Information about the Survey

3.2 How we proceeded with the survey?
3.3 Profile of The Respondents
3.4 Questionnaire
3.5 RESULTS OF THE SURVEY

 CHAPTER 4: PROBLEMS of ANGANWADI CENTRES

4.1 INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS

4.2 AMENITIES AT AWCs
4.3 PROBLEMS FACED BY AWWs
4.4 ADMINISTRATION OF AWWs

 CHAPTER 5: SUGGESTIONS

 CONCLUSION

 REFERENCES
 ABSTRACT

The Anganwadi, is a children oriented courtyard play centre,

located within the village itself . It is a focal point for the delivery
of services at the community level. AW is a type of rural child care
centre fully operated by women as part of the ICDS programme to
combat child hunger, malnutrition and women empowerment. The
main objective of the survey was to probe into the problems faced
by the centres and try to suggest a few solutions for the same.

The survey was conducted in four anganwadi centres in Jorhat

Urban wherein the primary data was collected from the
Anganwadi Care Workers (ACW's). Interaction was held with the
parents. The centres were observed and data was taken. After the
survey, inference was made from the observations. Lastly, we tried
to put forward a list of suggestions which would be helpful in
solving those issues.
 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 What is an anganwadi centre

An anganwadi centre is a child care and development centre set up under the Integrated
Child Development Services scheme of the Central government of India in 1975. The word
"angan" in Hindi means courtyard and "wadi" means home or shelter. Hence, an anganwadi is
a courtyard shelter which provides pre-school or non-formal education and supplementary
nutrition to children under the age of six. The Anganwadi centers take care of rural mother
and child by orientating women on health related issues such as importance of nutritious food,
personal hygiene, care during pregnancy, importance of immunization to adolescent girls,
nursing mother etc., Besides health issues, it has started to uplift the downtrodden women
socially and economically. In this direction all the Anganwadi centers in India employee
women only.

1.2 A Brief History of Anganwadi Centres

A healthy mother leads to a healthy child and this altogether builds a progressive nation.
Hence, the Government of India in its 10th five year plan (2002-2005) has taken several steps
to strengthen the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
scheme and extended this programme to improve the socio-economic status of women which
empowers them to lead a better quality of life. Therefore it established Anganwadi centres
with the help of the State Governments and renamed the ICDS programme into Anganwadi
services. As per the data collected in 31 March 2021, India has now about 13.87 lakh
operational Anganwadi and mini- Anganwadi centres and 13.99 lakh sanctioned centres.
INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES (ICDS) SCHEME :

Launched in 1975, the Integrated Child Development and Services scheme is a unique
early childhood development programme aimed at addressing malnutrition, health and also
development needs of young children, pregnant and nursing mothers.
ICDS consists of four different componenets namely-
1. Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCED)
2. Care and Nutrition Counselling
3. Health Services
4. Community Mobilisation Awareness, Advocacy and Information, Education and
Communication.
This scheme is anchored by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govenrment
of India. The Anganwadi Services is a centrally sponsored scheme to which the government
releases grant-in-aids.

1.3 Beneficiary and services

Given below is a list of services provided by the anganwadi centres-

Beneficiary Services
Pregnant women Health Check-ups TT, Supplementary nutrition,
health education.
Nursing mothers Health Check-ups, Supplementary nutrition,
health education.
Children less than 3 years Health check-ups, supplementary nutrition,
immunization, referral services.
Children between 3-6 years Health check-ups, Supplementary nutrition,
immunization, referral services, Non-formal
education.
Adolescent girls 11-18 years Supplementary nutrition, health education.
Women destitute, widows, orphans, mother Employment as AWC and AWH.
of female children 18-58

1.4 Identifying the problem

While the anganwadi centres play a pivotal role in the society, the problems faced by
them are also numerous. They can be divided into four main.
Categories-

1. Infrastructural problems
2. Amenities problems
3. Problems faced by the Anganwadi workers (AWWs)
4. Administrative problems

This study tries to analyse the above-mentioned issues and makes an effort to provide a
few suggestions which might be helpful in resolving the same.
 CHAPTER 2:- OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY

2.1 Objective of The Survey:

Below are given some data released by surveys conducted under UNICEF India during
the years 2014 to 2018-

Problem Value Year Source

Under-five mortality 36 per 1000 live births 2018 Sample Registration
System (SRS)
Stunted children five 35% 2016-18 Comprehensive National
years of age Nutrition Suevey
(CNNS)
Underweight children 33% 2016-18 Comprehensive National
(under five years of Nutrition Suevey
age) (CNNS)
Maternal mortality 122 per 100,000 live 2015-17 SRS
births

From the above data it is seen that although the condition of infants and maternal
mortality is improving in India, much work is yet to be done. India being a developing country
where, according to the data collected by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in 2018, 16.4 percent of the population live in poverty and 4.2 percent of the population in
severe poverty, people look up to the government for schemes which are free and are suitable
for their financial conditions.One such scheme is the Anganwadi Centres. These centres, if not
properly functioning, would cause much trouble for people who cannot afford expensive
private child-care institutions and also for people who cannot pay for the necessary nutritious
food-items required for pregnant and lactating mothers. Keeping this is mind, the primary
duties of the centres are given below-

.The primary duties of the centre are-

 Nutritious food supply to children of age six months to six years and to pregnant
women and lactating mothers.
 Arrangement of vaccination programmes through the health department for
disease like poliomyelitis, B.C.G , D.P.T, T.T etc. for children and pregnant
women.
 Provision of pre-primary education to children for their mental and physical
development.
  Keeping record of new born babies and pregnant women in a particular area
under the centre.
 Arrangement of health-awareness programmes in the locality.
 Provision of medicines like iron-tablets, sanitary napkins, etc. to girls entering
adolescent phase.

If the anganwadi centres or their workers find any difficulty in the smooth management
of the above mentioned tasks then the objectives of “Anganwadi centres” will lay unfulfilled.
Hence, the primary objectives of the survey was-
1. To find out about the proper implementation of the schemes.
2. To find out about the regular provision of food-items to the centres.
3. To inquire whether regular salaries are provided to the the anganwadi workers.
4. To take a look into the infrastructure of the centres.
5. Miscellaneous problems like regular provision of uniforms, regular surveys. etc.
Fig: Rajamaidam New Colony A Anganwadi Centre

Fig: Sarbaibandha Anganwadi centre

Fig: Digambar Chowk Anganwadi centre

Fig: 6 No Lane Sadar, Anganwadi Centre

 CHAPTER 3:-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Information about the Survey:-

1. Title of the survey:- A survey on Anganwdi centres in the urban area of Jorhat district.
2. Duration of the survey:- 2 weeks.
3. Starting date:- 16th Aug 2022.
4. No. of center covered:- 4
i. Rajamaidam New Colony A Anganwadi Centre
ii. Sarbaibandha anganwadi centre
iii. Digambar chowk anganwadi centre
iv. 6 No Lane Sadar, Anganwadi Centre.
5. Permission taken from district child protection officer, Jorhat.
6. Type of survey:- Sample survey.

Fig:- District child protection officer’s office

3.2 How we proceeded with the survey?

Anganwadi centre ( under Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services Scheme)
was launched in 1975 with the objectives to improve the nutritional and health status of
children in the age group 0-6 years and also to lay the foundation for proper psychological-
physical and social development of the children. Anganwadi workers are supposed to play the
most prominent role in providing health and academic benefits to the children six or below six
years.

Being a group of four we started our survey by taking permission from children welfare
office situated at Tarajan, Jorhat and were allotted four anganwadi centres in the urban areas
of Jorhat distrct and got the opportunity to know a lot of informatons like infrastructure,
 different kind of government schemes for the benefits of the anganbadi woekers.Anganwadi
centres are located in Rajamaidam new colony, one in sarbaibandha Krishna nagar and the
other two in cinamara and sub urban areas of rajamaidam. Children from two or three
different localities come to anganwadi centres to seek these benefits.The main motive of the
survey is to gather information about the development and whether the government schemes
and funds are well executed for the welfare of those kids

Reaching these places an interactive session was held with the students which helped us
to understand the level of education facilities and standards these students are receiving, along
with academic the session also had questions related to non academic activites which are
equally important in todays scenario. A fun quiz session was orgasnized by us for the kids
where the students were given refreshment for the correct answer. After that a Q&A sesssion
was held with the workers (aaxa karmis) and the administrative staff of the anganbadi centre
about the provision of salary and other beneficiary that are provided by the government.
Celebration of independence day, republic day, World environment day, yoga day take place
in those centres.Job training and refresher trainings are being given to the anganwadi workers
preceding to their job.Mid day meals like khisri, halwa, payash etc are given to make the
students interested about attending these classes. to procedeing with survey an interactive
session was held with the parents of the students about the benefits that their students are
receving, the level of improvement that they have seen in their children.Special provision for
the physically handicapped students are also provided by the government from a very young
age so that they are not deprived of education.

3.3 Profile of The Respondents:-

Sl no. Name Designation

1 Sasica Baruah Supervisor
2 Bornali Bora Supervisor
3 Sayera Bagum Anganwadi worker
(Rajamoidan New Colony A
anganwadi)
4 Sangita Neog Baruah Anganwadi worker
(Sarbaibandha anganwadi)
5 Nijara Das Anganwadi worker
(Digambar chowk anganwadi)
6 Parnita Phukan Gogoi Anganwadi Center
(6 No Sadar Anganwadi)
3.4 Questionnaire:

1. What is the name of the anganwadi centre?What is the area of the land of the
centreand the infrastructure?
2. When was the centre established?
3. What are the different schemes and beneficiaries provided by the government?
4. What are the total no. of students in those centres?What is the age group of those
students?
5. How many anganwadi workers are there in each centre and about the provision of
salary?
6. Are there any special provision and schemes for the physically handicapped
students and pregnant women?
7. How are trainings given to the workers of the anganwadi centres preceeding to their
jobs?
8. Are mid day meals and other refreshments provided to the students on a regular
basis?
9. Any problems or lackings they are suffering in terms of space, proper benches,
electricity, toilets, drinking water etc?
10. What is the financial condition of the parents of the students?
11. What are the future aspects and plannings of the centres?

3.5 RESULTS OF THE SURVEY

As mentioned above, the anganwadi survey was done to collect information about the
fulfillment of the aforementioned objectives. After having a Q&A session with the
anganwadi workers plenty of information were collected.

The centres take in children of age ranging from 2 years to six- years. New-born babies
and infants are provided care at home as mentioned by the workers. It was found that the
rooms where the students were seated were small and compact. .The space was less.It was a
bit uncomfortable for the students to be seated in such compact rooms. Secondly Maternity
benefit scheme like PMMVY (Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna)run by the government
of India was being provided to the mothers of the students.This scheme is implemented by the
Ministry of Women and Child development.It is a centrally sponsored DBT scheme with the
cash incentive of Rs 5000 (in three installments).Thirdly, two workers are there in each centre.
Some of the mothers of the children also volunteer to help. Regular salary was given to the
anganwadi workers on a monthly basis from January 2022. But it was observed that the work
load was a bit more as compared to the salary. Fourthly, vaccination camps are held every
year and students get vaccinated thus building their immunity and growth. Village Health
Sanitation and Nutrition day is conceptualized under National Health mission since 2010. It
includes basic health and counseling services for reproductive, maternal, new-born, child
health etc. It also promotes hygiene ,safe drinking water. And on 19 th of every month an
awareness programme is being held in each centre to aware the students and parents about the
health, fundamental study activities. Fifthly celebration of national festivals like independence
day, republic day, Gandhi Jayanti,are observed among the students to let them know about the
significance of these days. Yoga day is also observed every year to make them understand
about the importance of meditation and yoga from a very small age. World environment day
is being celebrated every year and saplings are being planted by every student to make a clean
surrounding. Sixthly, healthy mid-day meals(payash, khisri, halwa,) are provided to the kids
to attract them to come to the centre. Bags, shoes, uniform books, toys are provided to the
kids. Provision is there for the specially-abled kids.They are provided a cash of Rs 1000 every
month . Seventhly, job trainings and refresher training are given to the workers (aaxa karmis)
preceeding to their job. From the hygiene point of view, toilets are not well built.

Coming to the conclusion of the Q&A round, it was observed that all of the four
centres suffered from a common lack of drinking water, proper ventilation and fans. In the
Sarbaibandha Anganwadi situated at Krishnanagar, Jorhat the centre doesn’t have its own
place and is given a compact a room at the nearby primary school. Even though the
functioning of the centres is proper, much work is yet to be done.
 CHAPTER 4 :- PROBLEMS of ANGANWADI CENTRES
The success of AWC which combat child hunger and malnutrition mainly depends upon
how it tackles the various challenges involved in the functioning of AWCs. In order to analyse
the problems we have identified – variables which are grouped into 4 main problems namely-
1. Infrastructure
2. Amenities
3. Problem faced by AWWs
4. Administration of AWS.

4.1 INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS:

 Storage- There is less space and area i.e. only a small room or two for class, kitchen,
storage, etc. So storage is minimal/no storage facilities in AWCs.
 Kitchen facility- A very small room is used as a kitchen. Stove and gas cylinders are
managed by the AWWs themselves from their salaries.
 Adequate electricity- They have recently got connections .But the devices (fans, lights,
etc) to be run on electricity are not provided by the government instead in some centres the
AWWs themselves buy the objects.
 Class room facility- Only one room for everything ,no benches at all, children sit on mats,
and proper study materials, toys are not provided by the government.
 Playing area- In one centre there is a garbage dumpyard outside the centre. In others
there are fields, but no parks for the children to play at all.
 Medical-kit- Though a first aid box is provided, it lacks the necessary supplies required in
case of emergencies.

4.2 AMENITIES AT AWCs:

1. Ventilation- Only Two or three windows are there for air ventilation.
2. Drinking water- No purifying facilities have been provided. The AWWs themselves buy
filters which purifies the water from taps.
3. Toilet facility- The toilets are not well built and lack water supply. In some centres the
workers and children used the local bathrooms if necessary.
4. Drainage system- No drainage facilities at all.
5. Learning materials- Though a fully planned course structure along with all necessary
materials (books, slates, pencils, toys, etc) are provided by the government, the children fail
to acquire the knowledge due to lack of guidance.
4.3 PROBLEMS FACED BY AWWs:

1. Work Overload- Two workers have to manage everything i.e teaching all the children
groups irrespective of their age, making food for the mid-day meal, maintaining discipline,
etc.
2. Inadequate salary- The salary is low, and in addition to that they have to buy some
required materials in terms of emergency with their own salary.
3. Delay in payment of salary- The AWWs face many problems due to delay in their
payments since they have a family to run.
4. Lack of training- The training periods of the AWWs are not regular and training classes
which are held are only for few days.

4.4 ADMINISTRATION OF AWWs:

1. Inadequate Supervision- There is only one female supervisor for 28 AWCs around the
district.
2. Need to fulfilment of vacancies- Since the number of workers is so less, the vacancies
should be filled soon.
3. Delay in supply of required materials- Sometimes the supply of materials like food,
books, uniforms etc. get delayed due to which the children and workers face many
problems.
 CHAPTER 5 :- SUGGESTIONS

The centres has acknowledged the need to improve anganwadi centres. Below are given
some suggestions for the improvement of the anganwadi centres for a developed society.

1. Upgrading the infrastructure- It has been observed while doing the survey that the
infrastructure is not well developed and upgraded.The space is less compared to the
students.Saksham anganwadi scheme aims to upgrade 2.5 lacs centres across the country.

2. Active participation of the anganwadi workers- In todays world competition is very

high among the students. So from the very fundamental level education should be given
utmost priority. But it was observed that the students are unable to stand with the
competition among kids studying in private schools.So workers should be more actively
participating in giving basics to the kids.

3. Provision of regular salary- It was observed that the salary was not given on a regular
manner to the workers for a very long time and also the work load was high compared to
the salary. So more workers should be enrolled in an anganwadi centre to distribute the
work on a fair manner.

4. Lack of sanitary toilets- Toilets are not in a proper condition. As health is very important
so government shall provide schemes fot the construction for proper sanitary toilets.

5. Capacity building and training- The central government’s POSHAN Abhiyana has
taken important steps towards building capacities of anganwadi workers.It is important
that a more robust mechanism is now created to regularly access and plug knowledge
gaps.
 CONCLUSION

As India emerges on the Global forefront as a next world power it silently faces gender
inequality, child malnutrition and poor nutrition in pregnancy and maternal mortality. But
through AWCs by offering nutrition programmes , enhancement of educational system and
improving literacy rate of women it can overcome hurdles to become a developed Nation.The
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of
the Government of India and represents one of the world’s largest and unique programmes for
early childhood care and development. It is the foremost symbol of country’s commitment to
its children and nursing mothers, as a response to the challenge of providing pre-school non-
formal education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity,
reduced learning capacity and mortality on the other.

Many of the Anganwadi Centres face infrastructural, amenities and administrative

problems.These problems can be solved by proper implementation of schemes and more
funding from the governement. Anganwadi Centres need to be strengthened, structure and
supplies and the workers need to be given more in service, educational programme and
training programme along with salary so that they can be motivated to take interest in all
activities of the project.
 REFERENCES

 Think India Journal ( www.thinkindiaquarterly.org )

 The Sentinal Assam( www.sentinalassam.com )
 Ideas.repec.org
 Times of India ( www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com )