Two Sundarbans Childcare Workers Receive National Awards in New Delhi
New Delhi, October 29, 2026: Two childcare workers from West Bengal’s Sundarbans region have been recognised at the India Childcare Champion Awards for their contributions to child safety and early childhood care.
Manju Pradhan and Sonamoni Halder, associated with the Child in Need Institute’s (CINI) KAVACH initiative in Kultali, were among 14 childcare workers honoured at the awards ceremony organised by FORCES (Forum for Creches and Childcare Services), in partnership with the Global Alliance for Care and UN Women India.
The event, held to mark the International Day of Care and Support, recognised childcare workers following an independent jury process. Actor and producer Richa Chadha felicitated the awardees.
CINI’s KAVACH initiative, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), provides supervised childcare and early learning facilities in the Sundarbans, where ponds and other open water bodies pose drowning risks to young children.
Pradhan and Halder provide daily childcare and work with families to improve child safety in their communities.
The event also highlighted the need for better training, fair remuneration, social protection and career opportunities for childcare workers.
Sujoy Roy, Lead – Injury Prevention and National Advocacy at CINI, said the organisation was ready to support the West Bengal government in implementing Palna, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development’s scheme for quality crèche services.
He said CINI’s community-based childcare experience could contribute to caregiver training, child safety, community engagement and early childhood development.
