Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Sep 28: The Anganwadi building at Bagambila has come up in its own land after a wait of 26 years. The Anganwadi is built on modern lines and small children are waiting to place their tiny steps into this building. This is the Anganwadi building at Bagambila within Kotekar town panchayat limits.

In 1989 the locals had formed Nagarika Seva Samithi. The organization needed a building. UNESCO then joined hands with some donors and donated Rs 53,391. Then the children had to go to Deralakatte or Babukatte 4 km away to get primary education. As buses were not available, walking was the only option.

After the people put pressure for a primary school, the government, in 1994, permitted the opening of a school with first to the fourth standard. But there was no building. Nagarika Seva Samithi came forward to give its own building for the school. After a few years, a one-acre plot was sanctioned for the school and building was constructed. The school was shifted but the Anganwadi centre remained in the Nagarika Samithi building.

Even though the Anganwadi worker B Pushakumai along with the Samithi, tried to get own building for the Anganwadi, it did not materialise. For that its own land was needed. Even though the salary of the worker came from the department, the Samithi had given its building free of cost.

Nagarika Seva Samithi donated two and a half cents land to the Anganwadi last year but the government grant did not come. Former vice president of the zilla panchayat Sathish Kumpala approached Infosys for help. The officials who visited it drew up a plan for the building. They built the walls and made all arrangements. The Anganwadi which was in the Nagarika Samithi buildings for 26 years, will now be shifted to the new building. The locals feel pity for Pushpakumari as the building came up after she retired after serving for 25 years.

Infosys did what the government was expected to do. When Kumpala was the zilla panchayat vice president, the grant was received but because of government rules, the building was not possible. Infosys built the new building within a few months. Kotekar town panchayat member, Anil Bagambila, expressed happiness at the fact that Infosys has constructed a building beyond all expectations.