Youth in Chitavaliya Van stop abuses by Anganwadi worker

The village of Chitavaliya Van is situated 16 km from the district headquarters. There are 60 families and its total population is 380. The youth facilitators are Mr Vijendra Malviya and Ms Rekha Malviya. The village is populated by two castes – Harijans and Jats both of whom are hostile to each other.

The Anganwadi did not open on time since both the helper and the worker were always late. On some days it did not open at all. The food provided to children was inadequate. There was practice of untouchability since the SC/SDT children were asked to bring their own utensils. The helper did go out to collect children but only in nearby areas close to the Anganwadi. On the day of the vaccination she did not go at all.

The groups of girls and boys started monitoring the services in the Anganwadi. This raised a storm of protest from the Anganwadi staff who questioned their ability to monitor them. The groups persisted with their efforts and began collecting data for their village baseline survey. This alarmed the staff who began to mend their ways. The nutrition became adequate and the staff began to collect children from all areas. The caste discrimination stopped. Earlier the groceries were unloaded at the staff’s house. Now they are unloaded at the Anganwadi itself. While the food quality is not bad its taste still needs improvement.