Child-friendly space: Rural and tribal children learn at a makeshift anganwadi in Benachi village under SVYM’s EERC initiative
Dharwad: Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) has received the India Child Care Champion Award 2026 in the best voluntary organisation category for its work in rural and tribal education. The award was presented on Oct 28 at India International Centre in New Delhi during a ceremony organised by the Forum for Crèches and Childcare Services in collaboration with partner organisations. Founded in 1984, SVYM works in healthcare, education, social and economic empowerment, training and research. Its equitable education for rural and tribal community programme, launched in 2022, seeks to translate the vision of NEP 2020 into grassroots action.
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SVYM convener K S Jayant said programme assistant Shivananda Vastradmath had also worked with the family of Manjunath Madappa, a child with special needs who struggled to attend the anganwadi regularly. It is an acknowledgement of the teachers, anganwadi workers, families, local leaders, govt departments and communities working together to make quality education accessible to every child,” Jayant said. SVYM education division head Praveen Kumar, Supreet and Sayyapparaj received the honour. The programme works with anganwadi centres and govt schools in Mysuru and Dharwad districts, strengthening teachers’ capacities, promoting child-centred learning and encouraging community participation. It covers DB Kuppe and N Begur in Mysuru district and Benachi and Kadabagatti in Dharwad district. Farmers’ land is used as an outdoor classroom, helping children understand agriculture and science through hands-on experiences. In Bavali hamlet, residents, the forest department and SVYM’s EERC team converted unused forest guard’s quarters into an anganwadi learning centre decorated with flowers, letters and animals. The child gradually began attending more consistently and participating in activities with other children. “For SVYM, the award is more than a trophy. Download the TOI App.