Diageo India to Upgrade 50 Anganwadi Centres in Coastal Andhra Pradesh Under WASH Initiative
The upgraded centres are expected to provide safer, cleaner and more child-friendly environments that support children's health, nutrition, learning and overall development.
The programme was launched in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with Kakinada District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, senior representatives from Diageo India and implementation partner Tarq Foundation.
Kakinada, June 22: Diageo India (United Spirits Limited) has partnered with the Kakinada District Administration to implement a comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme across 50 Anganwadi Centres in coastal Andhra Pradesh, aimed at improving early childhood infrastructure and community well-being.
The initiative, which will be implemented over the next two years in U. Kothapalli Mandal of Kakinada district, was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on June 19, 2026.
The programme was launched in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, along with Kakinada District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad, senior representatives from Diageo India and implementation partner Tarq Foundation. The dignitaries also laid the foundation stone for the first Anganwadi Centre to be upgraded under the initiative.
The project seeks to strengthen critical early childhood development infrastructure through improvements in sanitation facilities, access to safe drinking water, child safety measures, storage facilities and climate-resilient infrastructure. The upgraded centres are expected to provide safer, cleaner and more child-friendly environments that support children’s health, nutrition, learning and overall development.
Speaking on the occasion, Harendhira Prasad said Anganwadi Centres play a central role in improving early childhood development outcomes and community welfare. He noted that the partnership would help create safer, more hygienic and better-equipped facilities for children, caregivers and frontline workers while contributing to long-term developmental goals in the district.
Devashish Dasgupta, Director – Corporate Relations, Diageo India, said the initiative aligns with the company’s “Spirit of Progress” sustainability agenda. He said the company is committed to creating shared value through investments that strengthen community infrastructure and improve access to safe, child-friendly and hygienic spaces.
According to the company, the programme is designed not only to enhance physical infrastructure but also to improve service delivery for Anganwadi workers and caregivers by creating functional and resilient community facilities.
Manoviraj Singh, Founding Partner of Tarq Foundation, said Anganwadi Centres remain among the most important institutions supporting children during their formative years. He said the initiative aims to create resilient, functional and child-friendly centres that strengthen hygiene, safety and early learning outcomes across the region.
The project forms part of Diageo India’s broader sustainability and community development efforts. The company said it continues to focus on improving livelihoods, promoting responsible resource management and supporting local communities through targeted interventions.
With Andhra Pradesh continuing to prioritise child nutrition, health and early education, the WASH initiative is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening grassroots social infrastructure in coastal communities while improving the quality of services delivered through the Anganwadi network.
