Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi and Union Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur review Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development activities at Western Regional Centre, Indore
A review meeting on the activities and training programmes of the Savitribai Phule National Institute of Women and Child Development (SPNIWCD), Western Regional Centre, Indore, was held today, under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister for Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, Smt. Annpurna Devi, and in the presence of Minister of State, Smt. Savitri Thakur.
The programme was attended by Shri Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament, Indore; Shri Valeti Premchand, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development & Director, SPNIWCD; senior officials of the Ministry; and officers and staff of the Regional Centre, Indore.
The programme commenced with a plantation drive under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign inspired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In accordance with the concept of Panchvati, five saplings: Banyan, Peepal, Bael, Ashoka and Amla were planted in the Institute campus by the Union Minister and distinguished guests.
The Union Minister undertook a detailed review of the activities being conducted by the Centre and its forthcoming programme calendar. Shri Valeti Premchand, Additional Secretary, MWCD & Director of the Institute, made a comprehensive presentation on the regular training programmes, research studies, and the activities and progress of the Child Guidance Centre. He informed that the Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling (ADCGC) programme, in collaboration with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, will commence from July 2026. The course has been recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi stated that under the leadership of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is continuously working towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. She emphasized that the Ministry’s flagship schemes—Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya—are playing a vital role in the empowerment, protection and holistic development of women and children.
The Union Minister advised that regular feedback should be obtained from participants attending the Institute’s training programmes from various States and districts. Such feedbacks would help assess the outreach, effectiveness and actual benefits received by beneficiaries at grass root level. It would also facilitate the identification of implementation challenges and areas requiring improvement. She further stated that feedback from trainees could be effectively utilized to make government policies and the Ministry’s schemes and programmes more impactful, responsive and people-centric.
Regarding the Advanced Diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling (ADCGC) course, the Union Minister observed that psychosocial counselling services are needed in every school and community. She stated that the course would help create a cadre of trained psychosocial counsellors who would play an important role in the mental and emotional development of children.
The Union Minister also emphasized the need for wider publicity and awareness regarding the services being provided through the Institute’s Child Guidance Centre (CGC) so that a larger number of beneficiaries may avail themselves of these services and the outreach of the Centre may be further enhanced.
During the visit, the Union Minister and Minister of State interacted with participants of the “Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi” State Level Master Trainers (SLMT) Round-II Training Programme from State of Maharashtra. The Union Minister appreciated the exemplary work being carried out by the Champion Anganwadi Workers participating in the training programme.
The Union Minister, Smt Annpurna Devi interacted with the trainees of Sakhi One Stop Centres from the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra & Chhattisgarh and discussed issues related to cases of violence against women and the various support services being provided through the Centres. Encouraging the participants, she emphasized that the knowledge and skills acquired through training should be effectively utilized in the grassroots implementation of the Ministry’s schemes and programmes so that their benefits reach the maximum number of eligible women and children.
The Union Minister appreciated the dedication, commitment and excellent work of the Institute’s officers, faculty members and staff and expressed confidence that the Institute would continue to make significant contributions in the field of women and child development in the future.
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