The damaged Anganwadi centre at Kesampatti in Madurai.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Residents of Kesampatti village in Kottampatti block of Melur Taluk in Madurai district have voiced concern over the severely damaged state of their local Anganwadi centre.Despite years of persistent demands from residents for a new facility, their pleas have been met with administrative silence, leaving the safety of more than 40 young children in limbo.The original Anganwadi building in the village had degenerated into a severely dilapidated and hazardous structure.Recognising the danger to the children, authorities were forced to relocate the center to a temporary private building four months ago.While this move temporarily ensured the safety of the children, the makeshift space is cramped and severely lacks the basic infrastructure and amenities required for early childhood care and education.“We cannot compromise on our children’s safety, but this temporary setup is simply not sustainable. They deserve a proper environment to learn and grow,” said a resident named Jeeva.“The community’s fight for a safe educational space has been relentless. Over the past few years, villagers have repeatedly submitted formal petitions to the Madurai District Collector and the department officials concerned. Desperate for a resolution, they also registered complaints with the Chief Minister’s Special Cell and passed multiple resolutions during local Gram Sabha meetings,” he added.Despite the repeated complaints registered with the authorities, no concrete action has been taken by the administration.He said that they were demanding immediate intervention and the swift allocation of funds to construct a modern, fully equipped Anganwadi centre.A local administration officer said once they have got the approval for the new building, the construction works would get started and the students would be moved there subsequently. Published - June 12, 2026 08:18 pm IST
