Workers in Palna Ghar will be called ‘Maasi’, giving children motherly affection says CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, 18 September 2025 -As part of the Seva Pakhwada (Fortnight of Service), which commenced on the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Mrs Annapurna Devi and Delhi Chief Minister Mrs Rekha Gupta virtually inaugurated 502 Palna Ghar-cum-Crèche centres at a special programme held at Delhi Municipal Corporation Primary School, New Ashok Nagar. Alongside this, the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ (Healthy Women, Strong Families) exhibition was inaugurated. The Chief Minister emphasised that the Delhi Government will present the Palna initiative as a model for the nation.

The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and MP from East Delhi Mr Harsh Malhotra, MLAs Mr Ravikant and Mr Ravi Negi, Secretary of the Delhi Government’s Department of Women and Child Development Ms Rashmi Singh, and other dignitaries.

On this occasion, Union Minister Mrs Annpurna Devi stated that the Palna Ghar Anganwadi-cum-Crèche centres launched by the Delhi Government have provided significant support to working mothers. Here, children are being offered nutritious meals, proper care, and learning opportunities through toys and diverse activities. She especially praised the use of Ann (millets) in local recipes and the concept of Nutrition Choupal (community-based nutrition initiatives), expressing confidence that children will receive better nutrition and a safe environment. She urged Anganwadi and creche workers to look after the children with affection and a sense of responsibility, as mothers entrust their children to them with faith.

Chief Minister Mrs Rekha Gupta stated that these 502 centres will provide much-needed support to working and labouring mothers. Their children will have access to nutritious meals, care, and early education, allowing mothers to fulfil their professional and personal responsibilities without worry. She further said that the Delhi Government will present this initiative as a model before the entire nation and will transform every Palna-Anganwadi into a “one-stop centre” for child care. She also announced that from now onwards, Anganwadi and crèche workers will be referred to as Maasi, meaning someone who gives mother-like affection. The Chief Minister stressed that the Delhi Government will ensure no child is left unsafe and that every mother can carry out her responsibilities without concern. She also announced initiatives to promote women’s self-employment and entrepreneurship, including collateral-free MSME loans of up to Rs 10 crore to support women in setting up small and medium enterprises.

Palna Ghar-cum-Creche Centres:

Today, the Delhi Government has taken a historic step dedicated to maternal strength and child safety by launching the Palna Yojana under Mission Shakti. With the motto “Palna – every mother’s support, every child’s safety”, 502 Palna Anganwadi-cum-Creche centres have been established across Delhi. These centres will provide children aged 6 months to 6 years with safe care, nutritious meals, and regular health check-ups. This initiative will enable working mothers to pursue their employment and responsibilities with peace of mind. The Delhi Government firmly believes that the dream of a developed Delhi will only be realised when our children grow up healthy and smiling, and when our women are self-reliant. The Palna Yojana, strengthened by Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan, will serve as a powerful medium to bring trust and security to every household.