Once dull and uninspiring, 83 anganwadis in and around Pune are now bursting with colour, creativity and cheer. The drab walls have come alive with bright paint and ‘speaking walls’ sporting with pictorial depictions of alphabets, numbers and shapes, while tiny chairs, benches and playful learning corners invite children to sit, learn and explore. “The children now look forward to coming here every day. They enjoy learning through fun activities with the dedicated sevikas who teach them lovingly and patiently,” says Niranjan Mathure, IPP of Rotary Club of Poona West, RID 3131.
This heartwarming transformation is part of a larger mission that began in 2023 when the then DG Manjoo Phadke signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government’s Ministry of Women and Child Development to turn 1,000 dilapidated anganwadis across the district into Ujjawal Anganwadis (bright anganwadis) by 2026. RC Poona West pledged to upgrade 100 centres.
“We wanted to make these playschools so lively that children would be drawn to them, to learn, laugh and grow in a fun, stimulating environment,” says Mathure. The plan included providing teaching aids, educational toys, growth monitoring devices and other resources that support early cognitive development.
During 2023–24, the club identified 55 anganwadis that needed urgent attention, with guidance from the local Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs). “Some of them required major renovation; others had no furniture, faulty wiring, or absent sevikas, with helpers filling in. We inspected each centre, understood its needs, and completely transformed it,” he says.
The project cost of ₹55 lakh was made possible through CSR contributions and support from five partner Rotary clubs. Last Rotary year, TRF sanctioned a global grant of $54,178; RC Omaha Suburban, US, was the international partner. The club also received CSR funding of ₹21 lakh from Vulcan Technology. Ten more Rotary clubs including RCs Pune Central, Pune East, Pune Sinhagad, Pune Pride, Pune University, Pune Sarasbaug, Pune Sahwas, Pune Pimpri Elite, Pune Mid East, and RC Mumbai North Island (RID 3141) joined hands to uplift another 28 anganwadis. Work is in progress in another 10 centres in Mulshi and Maval villages, says Mathure.
The anganwadis tranformed by Rotary radiate joy, featuring cheerful murals, tiled floors, sturdy furniture, TVs, e-learning kits and colourful indoor and outdoor play facilities.
In early 2025, the Maharashtra government rolled out its own large-scale upgrade programme providing TVs, e-learning kits, utensils and furniture. “We then re-evaluated our project scope with CDPOs and avoided duplicating what the government was already supplying,” explains Mathure.
Today, the Rotary-transformed Happy Anganwadis radiate joy. They feature cheerful murals, tiled floor, sturdy furniture, TVs, e-learning kits, safe drinking water, utensils, and colourful indoor and outdoor play facilities. Essential repairs — from roof leaks to compound walls and window grills — have made them secure, functional spaces. Breakfast, lunch and nutritional supplements are provided to the children at the centres by the government.
What makes the project truly special is its accountability. “Once the work is completed, we invite our CSR and synergy partners for an official handover in the presence of CDPOs and local authorities. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved,” says Mathure. He is happy that Rotary clubs have turned these once-forgotten spaces into bright beginnings for hundreds of children, “where learning feels like play and every wall speaks the language of hope.”