Gadchiroli, September 11, 2026: The Tata Trusts, in partnership with the Gadchiroli District Administration and Mobile Creches for Working Mothers’ Children, inaugurated the first community-based creche under the Childhood Nutrition and Development Initiative in Etapalli block on Thursday.
The initiative is being implemented under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Tata Trusts, Gadchiroli District Administration and the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra. The inauguration was attended by Shri Avishyant Panda, I.A.S., District Magistrate of Gadchiroli, as the Chief Guest.
The initiative aims to strengthen early childhood nutrition, care and development for children below three years of age, particularly for families living in remote and underserved parts of the district.
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Launched during Poshan Maah, the programme focuses on nutrition, health, hygiene and early childhood development during the crucial early years of a child’s life. The community-based creches will provide infants and young children with a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.
The initiative will also support women by providing reliable childcare, enabling them to participate in livelihood activities and manage other responsibilities.
The Etapalli centre is the first of 45 community creches planned across Gadchiroli district. The remaining creches will be operationalised in phases over the coming months, bringing early childhood care, nutrition and developmental support closer to households.
Gadchiroli is a predominantly tribal district, with tribal communities, largely Gond and Madia Gond, comprising nearly 39% of its population. Etapalli block has more than 197 villages, many located across remote and forested terrain, making access to essential services challenging for families.
Speaking at the inauguration, District Magistrate Avishyant Panda said the initiative would help ensure that children in Etapalli have access to health services, adequate and diverse nutrition, and safe early care regardless of their geographical location.
“This initiative marks an important step towards ensuring that every child in Etapalli, regardless of geography, has access to health services, adequate & diverse nutrition, safe & nurturing early care. Through this partnership with the Tata Trusts, we aim to strengthen our youngest citizens’ foundation for the future,” Panda said.
Jayeeta Chowdhury, Head-Nutrition, Tata Trusts, said the organisation has long supported early childhood growth and development through community-based creche services in rural and tribal areas.
She highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life for growth, cognitive development and overall well-being. She said preventing undernutrition during this period is critical, as growth faltering can have lasting consequences.
According to Chowdhury, the initiative will bring safe childcare and essential nutrition closer to families, connect children with public support systems such as Anganwadis, and facilitate timely referrals for children requiring medical attention. The programme will also give mothers greater flexibility to pursue livelihoods and other responsibilities.
Through the partnership with the Gadchiroli District Administration and Mobile Creches, Tata Trusts aims to develop a sustainable, community-led model that can improve outcomes for children and women and potentially serve as a model for wider implementation.
Sumitra Mishra, Chief Executive Officer, Mobile Creches for Working Mothers’ Children, said the organisation has worked for more than five decades to ensure children are not left behind due to lack of access to quality care and nutrition.
“This creche in Etapalli reflects our commitment to bringing that same quality of early childhood nutrition and care to the most remote corners of the country, in partnership with Tata Trusts and the local administration,” Mishra said.
