Earlier this Children’s Day, the Anganwadi Centres of Bahraich came together for more than a celebration. They gathered to honour the promise, potential, and dignity of every child. As part of the Learn. Play. Grow. initiative in Uttar Pradesh, supported by Marico Limited’s Nihar Shanti Pathshala Funwala program, the event brought the community together around a powerful theme: “Nurturing Every Child, Building a Stronger Community.”
In a district where early childhood development can shape the trajectory of a lifetime, the day served as a reminder of what truly matters in the first six years of life: healthy nutrition, safety, responsive caregiving, joyful preschool education, and community support. It also reflected the shared mission of education NGOs in India and children-focused organisations like Sesame Workshop India ensuring every child grows smarter, stronger, and kinder.
Families, teachers, Anganwadi workers, community leaders, and children arrived with enthusiasm, turning the Anganwadi premises into vibrant learning spaces filled with colour, laughter, and hands-on kids’ activities that mirrored the playful pedagogy of Learn. Play. Grow. Storytelling corners buzzed with familiar characters and local folktales. Activity stations allowed children to explore TLM-based play, building school readiness through simple, joyful experiences. Beyond play, the event created space for essential conversations. Awareness sessions helped families better understand the services offered by Anganwadi Centres, nutrition support, vaccination schedules, growth monitoring, and early learning opportunities. Local health workers, women’s self-help groups, and frontline teams guided parents on hygiene, nutrition, and locally produced healthy food options, reinforcing the importance of nurturing care in India’s child development landscape.
A highlight of the day was a nukkad natak on positive parenting, which captured the hearts of the audience. Through humour and storytelling, the performance reminded families that the early years are decisive and that every adult in a child’s life plays a role in shaping curiosity, resilience, and confidence. Community members also learned about financial schemes and savings options through local banks and partner organisations, linking child well-being with long-term family security.
The event closed on a heartfelt note, with recognition for children, parents, Anganwadi workers, and community champions who actively support their Anganwadi Centres. Their commitment embodies the belief that when communities participate in preschool education, learning no longer stays within classroom walls, it becomes a shared value. For us at Sesame Workshop India, a leading children NGO in India dedicated to playful and inclusive early learning, this Children’s Day reaffirmed a simple truth: when communities understand, engage with, and take pride in early childhood care and education, children thrive. Stronger systems begin with stronger relationships with caregivers, teachers, local leaders, and families who believe in the importance of the early years.
