COWE and SIDBI launch Aveksha Daycare Centers for Industrial Workers

Hyderabad: AVEKSHA, a four-day care centre for the children of industrial workers, was inaugurated in Hyderabad. This initiative is led by COWE, and supported by SIDBI. COWE plans to establish Aveksha Day Care Centers across India in industrial corridors, aiming to benefit women working in the industrial sectors. The centres were inaugurated at four different locations in the city: Alkapuri, Santoshnagar, Durganagar, and Suraram.

Aveksha Day Care Centers are an initiative of the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWE) and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), the Principal Financial Institution for the Promotion, Financing, and Development of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. SIDBI is an organization set up under an Act of the Indian Parliament.

Various dignitaries attended the inauguration events: Mr B. Gouthqm, Manager of SIDBI, Sivakumar Dev, Suresh Challa, Director of Sri Vijaya Educational Academy, SC Guptha, MD of Anand Food Products, Kedarnath Agarwal, Chairman of Dukes Group, V. Chandramouli, GM of SIDBI, Ms R. Prabhavathi, DGM of SIDBI, and Mr P. Praveen Kumar Reddy, President of JIA (Jeedimetla Industries Association).

Aveksha, which means 'To Take Care Of,' provides daycare facilities for children of women workers, especially in the industrial sector and underprivileged sections of society. SIDBI supports the centres for operational costs and TSIIC and CSR of private corporations for setting up costs.

COWE, with the support of SIDBI, has inaugurated 4 new Aveksha Daycare Centers in Hyderabad. They plan to set up a total of 20 daycare centres across Telangana, with 12 already in operation. These centres also include the first Day Care Center for construction workers.

The impact of these centres has been significant, empowering around 150 women, with 60% of them taking up jobs for the first time. The discipline and creativity of children have also seen notable improvements.

Each centre, spanning 500 to 1000 sqft, is fully equipped to accommodate 20-30 children from 9 am to 6 pm. They have a staff of three members: a Coordinator, a Sr. Caretaker, and a Jr. Caretaker. The centres are monitored with CCTV for daily activities, and a vigilance team ensures high standards are maintained.

Aveksha, a national project by COWE & SIDBI, aims to expand beyond Telangana to have centres across India. Each centre costs approximately two lakhs to set up, with a monthly operational cost of 40,000 rupees.

COWE's goal is to empower women through skills development and entrepreneurship initiatives. Aveksha Daycare Centers provide a free daycare facility for underprivileged children of industrial workers and labourers, enabling women to focus on their jobs and economic independence.

The inauguration events were graced by COWE members Uma Ghurka ji, Madhu Tyagi, Aarti Patil, Srilatha, Darpana, and Rama.