KOLKATA: Manju Pradhan and Sonamoni Halder, childcare workers associated with Child in Need Institute’s (CINI) KAVACH initiative in remote Sundarbans were honoured among India’s best crèche workers at India Childcare Champion Awards for their contribution to young children’s care and safety.They were among 14 care workers recognised through an independent jury process. Forum for Creches and Childcare Services (FORCES) organised the ceremony with Global Alliance for Care and UN Women India to mark International Day of Care and Support.Actor-producer Richa Chadha addressed the gathering and felicitated the awardees. Attendees included Dr Rashmi Singh, IAS, secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, govt of NCT of Delhi; retired Justice Gita Mittal; and Shoko Ishikawa, country representative, UN Women India.Discussions focused on strengthening childcare services and training, besides ensuring fair remuneration, social protection and career opportunities for care workers.Implemented by CINI with Indian Council of Medical Research funding, KAVACH provides supervised childcare spaces in the Sundarbans, where ponds and other open water bodies pose a drowning risk to young children. It combines childcare and early learning with measures to reduce children’s exposure to such hazards.Pradhan and Halder who work in Kultali, South 24 Parganas, provide daily care and engage families in keeping children safe. Their recognition highlights trained community caregivers’ role in preventing injuries and supporting children’s development.“Care is work that protects lives, nurtures children and enables families to earn a living; those who provide it deserve dignity, fair pay and recognition,” said Sujoy Roy, lead, Injury Prevention and National Advocacy, CINI.Roy said CINI was ready to use its KAVACH experience to support West Bengal govt in implementing Palna, Union Ministry of Women and Child Development’s quality crèche services scheme. He said its community-based childcare work offered a practical foundation in community mobilisation, caregiver training, child safety and early childhood development.
