Empowerment of Anganwadis essential for Children’s Mental Health to build ‘Viksit Bharat’: MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta

By Editor

Posted on March 31, 2026

Empowerment of Anganwadis essential for Children’s Mental Health to build 'Viksit Bharat': MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta

Mangaluru : Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, urged the Union Government in the Lok Sabha to take immediate steps to empower Anganwadis and early learning centers to address mental health and learning challenges in young children. Raising the issue under Rule 377, Capt. Chowta highlighted that India is home to over 16.5 crore children in the 0-6 age group, most of whom attend Anganwadis and pre-primary institutions. He expressed concern over the lack of awareness and support systems to identify neurodevelopmental issues such as ADHD and dyslexia at this critical early stage.

Citing alarming statistics, the MP noted that one in seven children faces mental health issues, with approximately 7 to 8 percent suffering from diagnosable disorders. Since 85 percent of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of six, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is the most decisive phase for shaping language, behavior, and learning. Capt. Chowta argued that timely intervention during these formative years could prevent long-term challenges and lay the foundation for a healthier society, which is a prerequisite for the nation’s overall educational and social progress.

To bridge this gap, the MP proposed appointing government-trained counselors or providing specialized training to Anganwadi workers, teachers, and frontline staff. This capacity building would enable the early detection of learning disabilities, provide basic emotional support, and establish a clear roadmap for professional referrals when necessary. He emphasized that ignoring childhood mental health is not just a social risk but a threat to the country’s future human capital. Investing in these systems is a strategic economic necessity to ensure a robust and capable generation for ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’

In his concluding remarks, Capt. Chowta stressed that no child should face physical or mental setbacks during their early years due to a lack of institutional support. He called upon the government to integrate mental health awareness and support mechanisms directly into the early childhood care framework. Strengthening Anganwadis and pre-primary institutions is essential to nurturing a healthy, resilient, and productive youth population, which remains the most critical factor in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.