New Delhi, February 27: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi on Thursday inaugurated a newly refurbished hostel complex at the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development (SPNIWCD), reaffirming the Centre’s focus on strengthening institutional infrastructure and child welfare services.
The institute, an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has recently upgraded its residential facilities to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for trainees, researchers and programme participants. Officials said the renovation is part of a broader effort to modernise campus amenities in line with expanding academic and outreach activities.
During her visit, the Minister held an open dialogue with parents whose children are receiving support through the institute’s Child Guidance Centre and Adolescent Guidance Service Centre. She also met children with special needs and listened to their families’ experiences regarding therapy, counselling and assessment services.
Senior officials briefed the Minister on recent administrative reforms that have significantly reduced waiting times for clinical assessments. According to the institute’s leadership, appointment scheduling has been streamlined, enabling quicker access to professional evaluations and interventions.
Parents who attended the interaction welcomed the opportunity to share suggestions directly with policymakers. Many expressed appreciation for the structured sessions and the professional support extended by psychologists, therapists and counsellors at the centres.
Addressing the gathering, Annpurna Devi underscored the importance of early intervention and parental involvement in nurturing children’s development. She stated that empowering families and ensuring equal opportunities for children—particularly in education—remain key priorities of the government. The Minister assured that feedback from stakeholders would be carefully examined to further improve service delivery.
The visit also marked the launch of a five-day Faculty Development Programme on research methodology, organised in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research. The initiative aims to enhance research capabilities, promote evidence-driven policy inputs and align academic output with emerging national priorities in the women and child development sector.
Encouraging faculty members to continually upgrade their academic skills, the Minister highlighted the need for rigorous research to inform effective policymaking. She noted that strengthening institutional research capacity would reinforce SPNIWCD’s role as a national resource centre dedicated to advancing the welfare of women and children.
The programme will run through March 2, bringing together scholars and practitioners to deliberate on contemporary research tools, data analysis techniques and policy engagement strategies.
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