Staff reporter
Guwahati: The Directorate of Women & Child Development (WCD), Government of Assam, in collaboration with ITC Limited, has launched a major initiative to strengthen nutrition, early childhood care, education, and development across the state. The “Cascading Training Programme for ICDS Functionaries” under ITC’s flagship initiative Mission Sunehra Kal was officially inaugurated recently at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Khanapara.
The launch commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by the formal welcome of dignitaries from WCD, ITC, reputed research institutions, and academic experts.
This marks the rollout of Phase II of the project focused on Early Childhood Care, Education and Development (ECCED) and nutrition services across 11 districts in Assam. ITC Limited will lead the implementation, with technical support from YouthInvest Foundation and Vikramshila Education Resource Society, introducing a comprehensive framework for integrated service delivery.
The event saw the sharing of valuable research insights by IIT Guwahati and impactful field narratives from frontline ICDS workers, highlighting ground realities and successes in early childhood interventions. Senior officials from WCD, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – Assam, and the Samagra Shiksha Mission also shared strategic inputs. Their perspectives were further enriched through a panel discussion featuring academicians from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and the School of Continuing Education, IGNOU. The event concluded with the drafting of a joint action plan spearheaded by WCD Assam to build long-term capacity among frontline workers. The initiative reinforces Assam’s commitment to improving child development outcomes, especially during the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
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