Summary:
Nashik: Hundreds of anganwadi workers staged a demonstration outside the Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday demanding that the decision to shut down 136 anganwadis be withdrawn.The workers — referred to as sevikas and madatnis — protested under the banner Bharatiya Hitrakshak Sabha and raised slogans. They have, however, not shut down the anganwadis despite the civic administration’s decision.There are a total of 412 anganwadis and all the 824 employees supported the agitation. Hence, while giving permission for anganwadis the distance between two Anganwadis should be considered,” Janorkar added.Suman Pagar, another sevika, said that though anganwadis were not directed to be shut they were present for the agitation to support their counterparts. Today, after so many years we have been asked to go home.”Another senior sevika Revati Janorkar said, “We have kept the anganwadis open. Each anganwadi has one sevika and one madatnis (helper/assistant)..