Bandipora, April 13, 2025 – In a transformative initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission and Poshan Abhiyaan, Anganwadi workers and mothers in Bandipora are being equipped with vital knowledge to promote safe drinking water, hygiene, sanitation, and food safety. This grassroots movement is fostering healthier communities and driving awareness about essential health practices across Jammu and Kashmir.
The training programs, conducted across various Anganwadi centres in Bandipora, focus on empowering local women to become advocates for health and cleanliness. Anganwadi workers, often the backbone of rural healthcare, are learning techniques to ensure access to clean water, maintain hygiene standards, and educate families on safe food handling. Mothers, as key influencers in their households, are also being trained to adopt these practices, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
This initiative aligns with the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014 to achieve universal sanitation and eliminate open defecation, and Poshan Abhiyaan, which aims to eradicate malnutrition through improved nutrition and health services. By integrating these national campaigns, Bandipora is setting a model for community-led development in Kashmir.
Local officials highlight the significance of these efforts. “Empowering Anganwadi workers and mothers with knowledge about safe drinking water and sanitation is a game-changer for Bandipora. It strengthens the foundation of a healthier Jammu and Kashmir,” said a district representative.
Participants have expressed enthusiasm for the program. “This training has taught us how to keep our families safe and healthy. We can now share these lessons with our neighbors,” shared a mother from an Anganwadi centre in Bandipora.
The initiative is part of a broader push to enhance health awareness at the grassroots level, with Anganwadi workers playing a pivotal role in bridging gaps in rural healthcare. By combining hygiene education with nutrition awareness under Poshan Abhiyaan, the program addresses critical issues like malnutrition and waterborne diseases, which remain challenges in parts of Kashmir.
As Bandipora leads by example, this community-driven approach underscores the power of collective action in building a cleaner, healthier future for Jammu and Kashmir. With Swachh Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan at its core, the initiative is a strong step toward a thriving, empowered Kashmir.
