Directorate of Women & Child Development, Government of Assam launches Cascading Training Programme for ICDS Functionaries

GUWAHATI,June 26: The Directorate of Women & Child Development (WCD), Government of Assam, in collaboration with ITC Limited, officially launched the program on Strengthening Nutrition, Early Childhood Care, Education and Development through “Cascading Training of ICDS Functionaries under ITC’s flagship initiative Mission Sunehra Kal at the Assam Administrative Staff College in Khanapara on Tuesday.

The programme began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by the formal welcome of dignitaries from WCD, ITC, leading research institutions, and subject experts from renowned academic organizations.

This initiative marks the rollout of Phase II Project, Strengthening Early Childhood Care, Education, and Development (ECCED) and nutrition services across 11 districts of Assam. ITC Limited will lead the implementation, with support from YouthInvest Foundation and Vikramshila Education Resource Society, introducing a structured framework for integrated service delivery.

Key highlights of the launch included the sharing of research insights by IIT Guwahati and field experiences narrated by frontline ICDS functionaries, offering a ground-level perspective on early childhood interventions.

Senior officials from WCD, National Rural Health Mission-Assam, and the Samagra Shiksha Mission – Assam shared strategic insights, which were further enriched through a panel discussion featuring academicians from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and the School of Continuing Education, IGNOU.

The event concluded with the formulation of a joint action plan, spearheaded by WCD, to build sustainable capacity among frontline workers. This initiative reinforces Assam’s commitment to improving child development outcomes, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of life.

(PRESS RELEASE).