- Little children offered birthday greetings through songs and poems; the Minister personally served food and sat with them to share the meal
- Children’s faces lit up upon receiving candies and gifts; the Minister imparted lessons on cleanliness and good habits
Birthday celebrations are always special when spent with loved ones, but they become even more meaningful when accompanied by the smiles of children. Minister for Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Smt. Lakshmi Rajwade, celebrated her birthday with the little ones at an Anganwadi center located in Nawapara, village Latori, in the Surajpur district. During this heartwarming ‘Nyota Bhoj’ (community feast), she personally served food to the children and sat alongside them to enjoy the meal. Premnagar MLA, Shri Bhulan Singh Maravi, was also present on the occasion.
As soon as Minister Smt. Rajwade arrived at the Anganwadi center, the children sang “Happy Birthday to You” in unison to greet her. This affectionate welcome filled the gathering with a sense of warmth and joy. The Minister sat among the children, chatted with them, asked for their names, and encouraged them to share their own stories. The children introduced themselves with great enthusiasm.
During the interaction, the children recited popular nursery rhymes such as “Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai,” “Aloo Kachalu,” and “Titli Rani.” The Minister cheered for the little ones, applauding their delightful performances. When she asked who attends the Anganwadi regularly, the children responded by raising their hands with bright smiles. Their natural charm and self-confidence captivated everyone present.
While interacting with the children, the Minister also spoke about the importance of cleanliness. She asked them where one should dispose of a chocolate wrapper after eating the candy; the children replied in unison, “In the dustbin!” The Minister commended them and encouraged them to keep their surroundings clean.
Sharing a meal with the children
At the ‘Nyota Bhoj’ (community feast), a variety of dishes—including rice, lentils (dal), kheer (rice pudding), puri, chhola (chickpea curry), and munga bhaji (drumstick leaf stir-fry)—were served to the children. Before the meal, the children recited a collective ‘meal prayer’ (bhojan mantra). Following this, Minister Smt. Rajwade personally served food to the children and sat on the floor with them to share the meal. This spontaneous scene of the Minister sitting among the children became the most heartwarming highlight of the event.
After the meal, the Minister presented the children with candies and gifts. The children’s faces lit up with joy upon receiving their gifts. Spending these moments with the children on her birthday infused the occasion with warmth and a sense of deep connection.
The objective of the ‘Nyota Bhoj’ in Anganwadi centers is to engage the community in the nutrition, care, and holistic development of children. By celebrating her birthday among the children, Minister Smt. Rajwade sent a powerful message about the importance of community participation in this initiative. The children’s songs, poems, and their cheerful laughter created lasting memories—a day where the joy of a birthday was truly shared with the children.