Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 1
An critical Analysis on
ANGANWADI SYSTEM in rural Bihar
By
Ravikant Yadav
Master of Business Administration
IIT ROORKEE
To
(Government of Bihar)
Integrated Child Development Services ( ICDS )
Second floor,Indira bhawan, Ram charitra singh path, Patna ( 800001 )
As
Summer Intern (May-Jul 2012)
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Our project report “A critical Analysis on ANGANWADI SYSTEM in rural Bihar” has
successfully completed its voyage towards its destiny by the guidance of channelized
professional ethics and undeterred pursuance of adjectives. Starting with expression of immense
pleasure and joy to right the words of sincere and loyal gratitude to the honourable Director
Mr Praveen Kishore to give this opportunity to work and learn some most important lessons for
my professional life and have a feel of rural India. I would like to thanks Mrs Abha Prasad
(monitoring officer) for helping in every way possible and making all this quite comfortable to
me. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Veena chaudhary (CDPO,Tajpur), Mrs Ruby Singh
(CDPO,Morwa) and Mrs Savita Kumari (CDPO, Sarairanjan and Patori on deputation) for all the
help and cooperation they devoured during the duration of internship. Last but not the least I
would like to acknowledge all the AWW and local people who showed immense participation
and gave respect whenever I visited them.
Ravikant Yadav
Intern ( May-Jul 12)
Department of Management Studies
IIT Roorkee, Roorkee
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 3
ABSTRACT
In a brief period of 8-weeks, I tried to cover maximum area in my proximity. Covered three
blocks trying to find the differences between perceived objectives and actual reality at
Anganwadi centres ( AWCs). There were various factors influencing the work of AWWs, be it
strictness of CDPOs, educational level of AWWs, their training level, number of supervisions at
their centres. Working of AWWs was also influenced by the region they were working. AWCs
which were in developed regions were more active and use to maintain a decent level of work,
whereas AWCs in backward areas were not maintained as per expectations. In this report I have
tried to cover most of the discrepancies which I found, root cause of them and possible solutions.
I have sectioned these in different chapters in my report. Hope you all readers will like my
experiences and will try to use my suggestions in a constructive way.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 4
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure no. Name of figure Page no.
1.1 An Anganwadi School in a small village in Tajpur Block 5
Table no. Name of table Page no.
2.1 Data collected during the period of internship 11
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S. No. Contents Page No.
1 Acknowledgement 1
2 Abstract 2
3 List of figures and tables 3
4 Chapter 1 – Introduction 5
5 1.1 What does Anganwadi mean? 5
6 1.2 What do the Anganwadi Workers do?
6
7 1.3 Role and responsibilities of AWWs 7
8 1.4 How does the Anganwadi System Work? 9
9 1.5 How does the Anganwadi System help? 9
10 CHAPTER 2-Project work 11
11 2.1 Space and water 12
12 2.2 Faulty equipments 12
13 CHAPTER 3-MAJOR OBSTRUCTIONS 13
14 3.1. Awareness: 13
15 3.2. AWWs qualification: 13
16 3.3. Lack of Training for AWWs: 14
17 3.4. Inadequate supervision: 14
18 3.5. Curious case of THR ( take home ration ) 14
19 CHAPTER 4-SSuuggggeessttiioonn bbooxx 16
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 5
20 4.1 Recruitment 16
21 4.2. Aware people 17
22 4.3. Training programs 17
23 4.4. THR menu and distribution 17
24 4.5. Alternative supervision 18
25 4.6. Feedback by AWWs 18
26 CHAPTER 5-CONCLUSION 20
27 CHAPTER 6-REFERENCES 21
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 6
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
India is home to the largest population of malnourished and hunger-stricken people and children
leading to high infant and maternal mortality. Along with these issues are a deluge of problems
ranging from diseases, lack of education, lack of hygiene, illness, etc.
To combat this situation, the Government of India in 1975 initiated the Integrated Child
Development Service (ICDS) scheme which operates at the state level to address the health
issues of small children, all over the country. It is one of the largest child care programmes in the
world aiming at child health, hunger, mal nutrition and its related issues.
Under the ICDS scheme, one trained person is allotted to a population of 1000, to bridge the gap
between the person and organized healthcare, and to focus on the health and educational needs of
children aged 0-6 years. This person is the Anganwadi worker.
Fig1.1 An Anganwadi School in a small village in Tajpur Block
1.1 What does Anganwadi mean?
The name anganwadi worker is derived from the Indian word – angan, which means the court
yard (an central area in and around the house where most of the social activities of the household
takes place). In rural settings, the angan is the open place where people gather to talk, greet the
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 7
guests, and socialize. Traditional rural households have a small hut or house with a boundary
around the house which houses their charpoys, cattle, feed, bicycle, etc. Sometimes food is also
prepared in the angan. Some members of the household also sleep outside in open air, under the
sky, in their angans. The angan is also considered as the ‘heart of the house’ and a sacred place
which buzzes with activity at the break of dawn. Given the nature of this versatile nature of this
space, the public health worker who works in an angan, and also visits other people’s angans,
helping with their healthcare issues and concerns, is the Anganwadi worker.
The Anganwadi worker and helper are the basic functionaries of the ICDS who run the
anganwadi centre and implement the ICDS scheme in coordination with the functionaries of the
health, education, rural development and other departments. Their services also include the
health and nutrition of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and adolescent girls.
Today in India, about 2 million aanganwadi workers are reaching out to a population of 70
million women, children and sick people, helping them become and stay healthy. Anganwadi
workers are the most important and oft-ignored essential link of Indian healthcare.
Anganwadi workers are India’s primary tool against the menace of child malnourishment, infant
mortality, and lack of child education, community health problems and in curbing preventable
diseases. They provide services to villagers, poor families and sick people across the country
helping them access healthcare services, immunization, healthy food, hygiene, and provide
healthy learning environment for infants, toddlers and children.
Anganwadi workers are key informants of healthcare issues but given the nature of their work,
they are also being called as social workers and many more activities are being added to their job
profile, such as the kind of services they provide in Dindigul.
1.2 What do the Anganwadi Workers do?
The Anganwadis are engaged to provide the following formal services to the areas under their
cover:
Immunisation of all children less than 6 years of age
Immunisation against tetanus for all the expectant mothers
Supplementary nutrition to children below 6 years of age
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Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 8
Supplementary nutrition to women who are pregnant and nursing, esp. from the low
income group
Nutrition, health education and health check-ups to all women in the age group of 15- 45
years
Antenatal care of expectant mothers
Postnatal care of nursing mothers
Caring for newborn babies
Caring for all children under 6 years of age
Referral of serious cases of malnutrition or illness to hospitals, upgraded PHCs/
Community Health Services or district hospitals
Non-formal preschool education to children of 3-5 years of age.
1.3 Role and responsibilities of AWWs
According to the The Ministry of Women and Child Development - The Government of India,
the following are the basic roles and responsibilities listed for the anganwadi worker:
To elicit community support and participation in running the programme.
To weigh each child every month, record the weight graphically on the growth card, use
referral card for referring cases of mothers/children to the sub-centres/PHC etc., and
maintain child cards for children below 6 years and produce these cards before visiting
medical and para-medical personnel.
To carry out a quick survey of all the families, especially mothers and children in those
families in their respective area of work once in a year.
To organise non-formal pre-school activities in the anganwadi of children in the age
group 3-6 years of age and to help in designing and making of toys and play equipment
of indigenous origin for use in anganwadi.
To organise supplementary nutrition feeding for children (0-6 years) and expectant and
nursing mothers by planning the menu based on locally available food and local recipes.
To provide health and nutrition education and counseling on breastfeeding/ Infant &
young feeding practices to mothers. Anganwadi Workers, being close to the local
community, can motivate married women to adopt family planning/birth control
measures
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 9
AWWs shall share the information relating to births that took place during the month
with the Panchayat Secretary/Gram Sabha Sewak/ANM whoever has been notified as
Registrar/Sub Registrar of Births & Deaths in her village.
To make home visits for educating parents to enable mothers to plan an effective role in
the child’s growth and development with special emphasis on new born child.
To maintain files and records as prescribed.
To assist the PHC staff in the implementation of health component of the programme viz.
immunisation, health check-up, ante natal and post natal check etc.
To assist ANM in the administration of IFA and Vitamin A by keeping stock of the two
medicines in the Centre without maintaining stock register as it would add to her
administrative work which would effect her main functions under the Scheme.
To share information collected under ICDS Scheme with the ANM. However, ANM will
not solely rely upon the information obtained from the records of AWW.
To bring to the notice of the Supervisors/ CDPO any development in the village which
requires their attention and intervention, particularly in regard to the work of the
coordinating arrangements with different departments.
To maintain liaison with other institutions (Mahila Mandals) and involve lady school
teachers and girls of the primary/middle schools in the village which have relevance to
her functions.
To guide Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) engaged under National Rural
Health Mission in the delivery of health care services and maintenance of records under
the ICDS Scheme.
To assist in implementation of Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) and motivate and educate
the adolescent girls and their parents and community in general by organzing social
awareness programmes/ campaigns etc.
AWW would also assist in implementation of Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls
(NPAG) as per the guidelines of the Scheme and maintain such record as prescribed
under the NPAG.
Anganwadi Worker can function as depot holder for RCH Kit/ contraceptives and
disposable delivery kits. However, actual distribution of delivery kits or administration of
drugs, other than OTC (Over the Counter) drugs would actually be carried out by the
ANM or ASHA as decided by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
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Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 10
To identify the disability among children during her home visits and refer the case
immediately to the nearest PHC or District Disability Rehabilitation Centre.
To support in organizing Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) drives.
To inform the ANM in case of emergency cases like diahorrea, cholera etc.?
1.4 How does the Anganwadi System Work?
The Anganwadi system in one village/ area is managed by a single Anganwadi worker, who is
chosen from the community and has been trained for four months in areas such as health,
nutrition and childcare. Each Anganwadi worker covers a population of about 1000 people.
It is heartening to know that there more than a million Anganwadi centres in India, employing
more than 2 million workers, who are mostly female and intuitive to the health needs of the
region. For a country where illness, child mortality, illiteracy and poverty co-exist, this comes as
a refreshing statistic.
1.5 How does the Anganwadi System help?
India is home to over-population, mal nutrition, poverty, unemployment, low literacy levels and
more, with a target to make healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. Given the urgency
of healthcare issues, child mortality, mal nutrition, etc., our country needs high number of
medical and healthcare professionals to cater to the population that is now running into billions.
Faced with acute shortage of skilled professionals, the Government’s ICDS scheme is using the
local population to help meet its grand goals.
The Anganwadi worker hails from the village where she works and has her finger on the pulse of
the health of the village, its people and children.
Apart for the healthcare knowledge that she possesses and gained over a period of time, the
Anganwadi worker is so entrenched in the general affairs of the household that she is in a better
position to understand the real malady behind the healthcare issues. These latent problems of the
household or community could range from relationship issues, daily hassles, sanitation, nutrition,
social, peer pressure, and much more. Given the definition of health – the physical, metal, social,
spiritual wellbeing of an individual, the Anganwadi worker perhaps has the best insight into the
people’s health of her region.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 11
While educated doctors, learned nurses and seasoned professionals are excellent in their work
and skills, they mostly lack the social skills and expertise which is more than necessary in
interacting with the rural folk. An anganwadi worker is well versed in the ways of the village,
knows the people by their names, interacts with them on regular basis and may also has an
personal relationship with the people.
Anganwadi workers need to have good communication skills. They are usually adept in using the
right language, metaphors and allusions for convincing people to act in a certain way. Religious
customs and sentiments work best for them.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 12
CHAPTER 2
PROJECT WORK
I was allocated Samastipur Distt of Bihar State on my personal interest as I have visited this
place before and was quite familiar and interested in working there. In Samastipur there are 20
projects running in 20 different blocks, having a Child development Project officer ( CDPO ) in
each project. Total number of AWCs is 3438 with 3434 operational till month ended june 2012. I
chose to select four different projects namely Tajpur, Sarairanjan, Morwa and Patori ( partially
covered). I visited some centers with CDPOs and others individually. CDPOs were of great help
in showing AWCs which are in interior parts of regions and that helped a lot.
Below is the table showing some stats and figures which I gathered during the period of my
internship.
Sr no Particulars Numbers
1 Total number of centers visited 89
2 Official visits ( with CDPOs) 27
3 Personal visits 62
4 Average attendance at centers 27.38
5 Median attendance at centers 26
6 Sevika absent 2
7 Sahaika absent 5
8 Worst maintained AWC ( no 83 , Tajpur Block ) ,attendance* 12
9 Best maintained AWC ( no 31, Morwa block) ,attendance* 38
10 Percentage of children in dress ~60%
Table 2.1 Data collected during the period of internship
* worst and best maintained AWCs are on the basis of attendance, children in dress, hygiene and register work.
The above data is collected by regular field visits. Though a lot can be understood from the
above data but actual picture is not as clear to observe.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 13
I was really overwhelmed by the efforts of few AWWs, who were in scorching heat of may-june
managed to gather more than 80% attendance as well as managing the kids very well. But these
were exceptions. To make this a Trend and not an exception, we need to put a lot of extra efforts.
Other than these centers, the over all scenario was not very pleasing in regions where I visited.
2.1 Space and water
Two most prominent problems in the operation were Space and Water.
Due to lack of space it has been tried to shift these AWCs to primary schools and regional public
buildings. But the number of such buildings is very less thus centers have been located
temporarily in Huts, Verandahs, rented places and other small places which barely cover children
from sun and rains. These places were very small even to keep 40 people inside. Some of them
were almost open whereas some were too compact that even proper lighting was not there.
After space major concern is drinking water. Most of the centers visit didn’t have their own
dedicated hand pump. AWCs used to bring water from nearby facility which some time included
fetching water as far as 50 meters.
Apart from these physical problems even the internal conditions were not good. Most of them
registers were not maintained properly. I would specially like to mention the status of Growth
monitoring register(GMR), which I consider is one of the most important aspect of ICDS
programs.
In more than 92% AWCs I visited the worse maintained register was growth monitoring register.
On further enquiry it was found that most of them didn’t even know how to write that register or
didn’t have weighing facility and others were not serious enough as none of the supervisor or
other official paid any interest in checking the GMR.
2.2 Faulty equipments were also a very common practice. In none ( 0% exactly) of the centers,
all the equipments provided were working properly. Faulty spring balance was a norm.
On THR(take home ration) day, food was distributed using cans and boxes which in no way was
giving true measurements. Damaged weighing machines were also one of the main culprits of
non-maintenance of GMR as it is not possible to weigh children.
And as per officials interaction I had there were no provisions of repairing or exchange of
faulty equipments by department making it more difficult for AWWs, which is personally feel
needs to be there as these constitute major part in proper functioning of AWC.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 14
CHAPTER 3
MAJOR OBSTRUCTIONS
ICDS program is one of the largest in the country introduced for growth of early childhood. Thus
to deliver services at this level can have lots of difficulties and discrepancies. During my tenure
as an intern I too found lots of pros and cons and here I will try to write some of the deformities
in the system which I identified and will like to bring in the notice of concerned authorities.
These have been briefed below to best of my knowledge and perception:
3.1 Awareness: To run a program of such large magnitude, support and participation of local
people is as important as duties of department. On this aspect I haven’t experienced a very good
response. People are not aware of what ICDS is and what programmes and benefits are there for
them. What I have observed is their sole concern has been the ration they receive on THR day.
They are not interested in other services like pre-school education, health services and nutritional
services which are being provided by ICDS. They never bother to enquire about the food being
served or hygiene conditions at AWCs. They are not aware of nutrient quotient of food items and
it has been seen that even in many well to do families’ children are malnutritioned. One more
thing that was really disheartening on parents part that they didn’t give much importance to
uniform and cleanliness of children even after requested multiple times by AWWs. I would like
to mention here that ICDS also provide rs 250 annually for uniform of children which parents
give least importance and use that money in routine works.
3.2 AWWs qualification: After meeting with a considerable number of AWWs I find it
very important to mention that in many cases though they fulfill the basic educational criteria
according to their certificates and documents, the actual standards were much below required.
Many of the AWWs were not even able to write in decent Hindi. Names of pupils were wrongly
written, age not properly calculated. In most of the AWWs the registers were maintained by
their husbands and AWWs didn’t even know how and what is been written there. Thus making it
mandatory to come out of old methods of selection based purely on percentage of marks
obtained in matriculation as sole criteria, we should try to induce new selection methods to
ensure that the best candidates are appointed for the job.
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Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 15
3.3 Lack of Training for AWWs: In last point I mentioned the discrepancies due to under
qualified AWWs but it has also been observed that though the AWWs are adequately qualified
still many a times they are not able to cope up with different type responsibilities due to poor or
insufficient training(as told by AWWs). Unluckily I was not able to counter any of the training
facilities in the region where I was located but AWWs told that they are not able to understand as
the trainings are of very short period and trainers only deliver ( one way communication) without
ensuring whether AWWs are getting or not. After that there is no exam or anything like that to
monitor their leanings. [strictly as told by AWWs, not authenticated]
It is easily understandable that training and testing of such a large work force is not
possible at once as there are very limited number of training centers. Generally one in a district
or even less sometimes. Keeping in view the large numbers, it will take a long time to put
adequate number of training centers by government or even if NGOs are interested. Thus to
improve the current scenarios other alternative steps need to be taken like at block level or may
be taking two or three block at once.
3.4 Inadequate supervision: Given the large area and huge number of centers to be
covered and total staff recruited to supervise all the centers in a given block it becomes very
difficult to cover the AWCs regularly. This is understandable, but the condition is made more
severe by non seriousness of supervisors in visiting the interiors of a block. Not naming any
particular one, but I visited centers where no official has visited in a span of two years thus
leaving AWWs to do what they want, be it fraud attendance registers showing full attendances,
below standards food being served or non/less distribution of THR ( take home ration ).
Interestingly all such centers too have their registers duly signed by the authorities without even
making sure how correct the data provided .Now I would really like to raise this question that on
what ground these registers and their accounts have been approved, do this mean any kind of
benefits to immediate supervisors ( monetary or non monetary, as generally lamented be regional
people and local media ) from the AWWs or they trust them blindly that they consider register
work as mere formalities ??
3.5 Curious case of THR ( take home ration ) : One of the most ambitious project ever by
government. THR is a service where Ration ( rice + pulses ) is distributed children of age less
than three years, pregnant mothers and lactating mothers in different proportions according to
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 16
there nutrient needs to maintain decent level of nutrition to these people. A great idea and
implemented beautifully too on paper. But in reality are we really nourishing our upcoming
generation with proper nutrition. I m sure in none of the families the ration distributed for
children is equally distributed for 30 days and then fed to baby. Generally the ration is consumed
by the whole family within 2 or three days and then same diet is followed for rest of 27 days of
month. Now three days of nutrient food can reduce how much of malnutrition and help children
grow is highly questionable.
Also these worries start only after he THR is being distributed, that in itself is a
topic of dispute between AWWs and beneficiaries. Current policy issues money for pulses to be
bought at Rs 40/kg and rice at 15/kg. The rate of food inflation we have seen in past three years
for food products has made mockery of these estimates by government. Now one can understand
what quality of food can be bought at these rates and to what extent such sub standard food will
supplement the growth needs of children.
To counter high rates AWWs try to convince people to receive less quantity which though is
accepted by beneficiaries but doesn’t it ultimately maligns the objectives of the ICDS ?
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Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 17
CHAPTER 4
SUGGESTION BOX
Since the start of this project 8 weeks ago, I have been waiting to write this section of my report.
A lot to write here, though its very easy to give suggestion then to implement in real world amid
all the complications and limitations.
Still I would like to bring in notice a few ideas to department which take my suggestions to
further actions or even consider them as a part of any conversation that may lead to something
fruitful.
I have stated various discrepancies and reasons which I feel are responsible for such ‘‘not so
great’’ condition of our AWCs, now taking on them one by one I would like to explain what I
feel can be a possible way out.
4.1. Recruitment: I mentioned above about the abilities of selected AWWs and need of a new
selection procedure is eminent. I came to know from department that a new process, largely
dependent on an eligibility test just like TET ( teachers eligibility test ) is to be conducted, A
very appreciable decision by ICDS and hope it will definitely increase the educational abilities of
AWWs. I would really like to suggest that even those already in the job are also made
compulsory to clear the test. And for the new recruitments, if an interview round is possible it
will be icing on cake. It is very well known that conducting interview for such a large scale will
need lots of human resource as well as other arrangements. On part of human resource, ICDS can
ask different post graduate institutes of national repute like IIM/IIT/NIT/central universities
having courses in behavioral sciences or human resources to send their students who may assist
officials in interview procedure or may ask regional colleges to send their professors for that
matter not only this will increase the involvement of knowledgeable people it will also help in
reducing other unethical activities which in the end, result in a selection of a candidate who
doesn’t deserve the job or rejection of more valuable candidate.
I am emphasizing on interviews so much as a combination of educationally examined and
behaviorally judged AWWs will add more values to the system and ultimately help us to reach
our common objectives stated by ICDS.
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4.2. Aware people : To get a well qualified pool of AWWs is desirable but all the goodwill
will not be encased with other most important half of the program, The beneficiaries are not well
aware of services offered by ICDS. They must know how much they deserve and why this all
system is being operational. It is not merely providing food to once who lack, it is much more
beyond that. People must know the importance of immunization as how severe these diseases
can go if not immunized at early stage. They should know the benefits of pre school education,
how important it is to maintain proper hygiene and send their children in proper uniform
provided by ICDS. In this regard as most of the local people are not good in reading or writing
thus providing info in print media or local media will not serve the purpose. Though starting an
advertising campaign on RADIO spreading awareness regarding objectives and services offered
will be of great help. In this case too a considerable amount of workload can be shared by
allocating internship ( non paid summers as well as winters, mostly to local students) of different
institutes who can spread awareness using different modes of communication like Nukkad
Nataks, Rallys and awareness campaigns at Gram panchayat levels.
More aware the beneficiaries, better reception of services and integrated development of
children.
4.3. Training programs: training to AWWs is provided by various AWTCs in the country.
They are total 490 in numbers, and a significant large number of AWTCs are needed to cater the
needs of almost 81000 AWWs working in Bihar. Increasing this number so rapidly is neither
advisable nor practical. Thus training can be imparted on block levels. In general case a CDPO is
well qualified to train other AWWs. Thus a once in three months or whatever is feasible can be
implemented at block level where AWWs should be trained and more importantly reviewed
about their learning.
4.4. THR menu and distribution: it is very well known by even the department that even after
reaching beneficiaries family, food doesn’t reach the desired person in appropriate amount. Thus
a change in menu is very much important. Distributing Rice and Pulses is not serving the
purpose as there are very few who are not able to feed their child with these type of food. The
most such food does is to help them change their taste and not enhance their nutrition level. Even
after receiving THR there is not much change in their diet or quantity they consume daily.
Approx 65% of total funds allocated is spent in distribution of THR and the effect of it on
overall development is minimal. Though on my suggestion the most desired state is change in
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 19
menu, providing food which is consumable by beneficiary only. To implement all this I will take
a substantial amount of time, till then my suggestion was to decrease the amount of Rice ( easily
available in almost every home in Bihar ) and increase the amount of Pulses to be distributed as
it is more costly and most of the people can’t afford good quality Pulses, also a source of protein
which is surely an advantage over Rice.
Also the distribution can be made twice a month or may be once a week so that all the amount
distributed is not consumed at once by the family, and will go for more days as compared with
present scenario.
4.5. Alternative supervision : Role of supervision is assigned to Lady supervisors and CDPO.
They need to visit atleast 25 centres each per month. In samastipur average number of centres
per block is 171.9 thus it will take a CDPO and 3 supervisors( ideally) 1.75 months that is 50
days to cover all the centres once. With variations take a range of 45-60 days. But that’s not the
case. Centres nearby block offices are visited every now and then and in interior regions are
meant as forbidden terrotitires. Centres in interiors experience a visit as much upto 2 years.
Reason for this may be lack of staff as LS ( lady supervisors ) find these jobs too tough and leave
or are so irresponsible that they don’t consider it as very important task. By my personal
experiences during this intern I have seen CDPO alone going to all centres that obviously is too
difficult due to lack of LS and also observed LS coming to office at 10am and then going for
visit only if their mood and weather permits. Such attitude really made me sad when government
is investing so much of people’s money in the project.
Thus in this matter my suggestion would be to introduce alternative supervisions. It may be
done by contracting supervision work to private organizations, by introducing such method
government will not be liable to lack of vacancies or difficulties in reaching interiors. As LS
appointed aren’t permanent employees so I don’t feel contracting out will be much of a difficulty
or against the policies of government.
4.6. Feedback by AWWs : till now we have imparted much emphasis on to regulate and
improve the qualification and working of anganwadi workers. Amidst all these regulations and
supervisions there must be a way to ensure AWWs aren’t exploited. By applying so much norms
and evaluation being done of AWWs, they may feel they are only used as a tool and aren’t a part
of system. Thus to ensure AWWs too have a say in scheme of things their must be a method
which takes forward the concerns and difficulties faced by AWWs. Such can be done by
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 20
introducing Feedback system, in which they can give feedback of their seniors like LS , CDPO,
Trainers. These feedbacks should be evaluated by an independent team and then report to be
sent to top officials. Also AWWs should be allowed to give feedback both knowingly and
anonymously. This will give AWWs confidence to work in an more respectable environment.
This Feedback technique can me extended towards more exclusive type i.e Rolling Feedback,
where groups of 10-12 (generally each panchayat) AWWs have to give feedback of each other as
they observe each other most closely and can give best report. To make this system more
effective department can plan rewards for best AWWs of the month in form of small cash prizes
or other accolades, presented in monthly meetings held at block. This will surely increase the
interest in work and urge to out perform each other by giving best results.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 21
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
„„An experience for lifetime‟‟,- is all I must say.
I came to ICDS with a lots of curious thoughts, with two or three experiences of Bihar
beforehand but all limited to my hometown Muzaffarpur and relatives and having a very limited
knowledge of people, traditions, culture and economic status of people. Never thought
wandering from one block to other, village to village in public transport, auto rickshaws, bull
carts and yes in government vehicles can be so much fun. Though also suffered 20 days of ‘worst
of my life’ heat in dust and dirt, but not to regret. And not to forget the extra supportive behavior
of people who even used to give lift on their bikes to respective centres of their regions to get
them examined and ask AWWs a lot of questions in my presence. This clearly showed their
eagerness and participation towards the services of ICDS which was always a pleasing
experience.
Professionally too it was a great learning experience. Never interacted this large number of
strangers in such a short span of time. Giving me more confidence to go and meet new people.
Visiting AWCs ranged from going along with CDPO to individually asking for centres from
villagers and taking feedback about their respective centres. In total of only 89 centres I saw the
extremes of centres with worst being not able to gather even 15 students that too not sitting in
room instead roaming around with no food being prepared to best where I found all the children
properly dressed in uniform and singing songs and poems, all happy and waiting for their hot
Pulao to be served. Their fresh faces and active movements surely gives a hope that they surely
are our future and are in right hands.
To conclude I must say ICDS is doing a great job to synchronize and maintain such a
huge network of AWWs. I have written this report more on a critical side to highlight where are
we lacking and what steps need to be taken to further improve the condition. Apart from what I
have criticized there are lots of positives that can be drawn from AWCs. It feels great that they
are able to change the mentality of people that they have started sending their children to centres.
Though just gathering students is not all we want and have to go a long way.. I will be obliged if
any of my suggestions will add any value to organization and hence to our nations.
In the end I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a part of your
organization. I wish ICDS a very good luck for future and all my blessings that nation grow
leaps and bounds with your services.
Integrated child development services, Bihar
Ravikant Yadav, MBA, IIT Roorkee 22
CHAPTER 6
REFERENCES
1. Web page of ICDS Bihar
2. Documents received from ICDS head office, Patna (Bihar )
3. Documents received from DPO office, Samastipur (Bihar )
4. Field surveys in blocks of Tajpur, Sarairanjan, Patori, Morwa
5. information provided by CDPOs and LS
6. Information provided by AWWs
7. Information provided by Local villagers