Two CINI Childcare Workers From Sundarbans Receive National Recognition At The India Childcare Champion Awards In New Delhi.

New Delhi, Delhi, 30th of October, 2026 : Manju Pradhan and Sonamoni Halder, childcare workers associated with the Child in Need Institute’s (CINI) KAVACH initiative in Kultali, West Bengal, were honoured among India’s best crèche workers at the India Childcare Champion Awards held on Wednesday in New Delhi for their contribution to the care and safety of young children.

The two were among 14 care workers recognised following an independent jury process. FORCES (Forum for Creches and Childcare Services) organised the ceremony in partnership with the Global Alliance for Care and UN Women India to mark the International Day of Care and Support.

Actor and producer Richa Chadha addressed the gathering and felicitated the awardees. Those present included Dr Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi; Justice Gita Mittal (Retd.); and Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative, UN Women India.

Discussions focused on strengthening childcare services, improving training and ensuring fair remuneration, social protection and career opportunities for care workers.

Implemented by CINI with funding support from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), KAVACH provides supervised childcare spaces in the Sundarbans, where ponds and other open water bodies pose a drowning risk to young children. The initiative combines childcare and early learning with measures to reduce children’s exposure to these hazards.

Pradhan and Halder provide daily care and engage families in keeping children safe. Their recognition draws attention to the role of trained community caregivers in preventing injuries and supporting children’s development.

“Care is work that protects lives, nurtures children and enables families to earn a living; those who provide it deserve dignity, fair pay and recognition,” said Sujoy Roy, Lead – Injury Prevention and National Advocacy, CINI.

Roy said the organisation was ready to draw on its KAVACH experience to support the Government of West Bengal in implementing Palna, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development’s scheme for quality crèche services.

He said CINI’s existing community-based childcare work provided a practical foundation for such support, particularly in community mobilisation, caregiver training, child safety and early childhood development.

CINI congratulated Pradhan and Halder and acknowledged the support of their families and the communities they serve.