The Anganwadi Worker in the Red Saree
A beacon of hope for the community and young people
In the heart of her bustling community, the Woman in the Red Saree stands tall, her vibrant attire a symbol of unwavering determination. Her mission? To carve a brighter path for the young girls and boys who call this place home. With every step, she weaves hope, education, and opportunity into the fabric of their lives. She is Snehamaya Das (50 years), an Anganwadi Worker.
Aata.
Maa.
Aai.
Jai Jai Maa.
Choti Maa.
These are some of the names people of Koraput district in Odisha lovingly use for Snehamaya Das.
She started her journey as an Anganwadi Worker at the age of 19 in exchange for a small monthly fee and embarked on the path of selfless service to the community. Snehamaya tirelessly dedicated her time and efforts to making Luzing, Odisha a safer and better place for communities.
Under Snehamaya's nurturing guidance, the Anganwadi Centre (pre-school) has blossomed into more than just a place of learning, it is a sanctuary of growth and empowerment. Together with her students and their parents, she has cultivated a vibrant herb garden in the school compound. The fresh ingredients enrich the mid-day meals of children while fostering a deeper connection to nature and sustainable living.
Snehamaya has received an award, a certificate of excellence for her outstanding performance in implementing the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) and Women's Welfare Programmes.
Her work transcends the boundaries of the Anganwadi Centre. She is a community leader, rallying her neighbours to tackle challenges head-on. From collecting firewood for meals, to sowing crops or reaping the harvest - they do everything together! Whenever anyone in her village faces any crisis, she is there to help with whatever little resources she has. Even in times when her own family had just enough to survive, she didn’t waver from the cause of helping her larger family. For her efforts in distributing countless masks and herbal remedies during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was honoured with the Corona Yodha Award in 2022 for her selfless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Snehamaya motivates and counsels people about the benefits of immunization and other important health measures. She talks about women’s health and family planning and leads Advika (I am Unique) sessions for young adolescents to inform them about sustainable health and sanitation practices. She promotes the role of education in empowering and securing equal opportunities for all and champions positive parenting by ensuring fathers play an active role in the lives of a child.
When asked about the source of her motivation, Snehamaya responds with an energetic yet sincere tone - “Ye sab log mera bacha hai. Inke liye kaam karne mein hi mujhe khushi milti hai.” (I see my community as my very own children, and working for them brings me immense satisfaction and joy).
Snehamaya's story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that opportunity and empowerment can have. When given the chance to succeed, girls and women can make invaluable contributions to their communities, shaping a world where every girl and boy can thrive and fulfil their endless potential.
