The Annual Childcare Champion Awards championed by FORCES (Forum for Creches and Childcare Services) and Mobile Creches, were presented by Mandira Bedi, a leading actor, television presenter, author, and fitness enthusiast, on the eve of the International Day of Care & Support in New Delhi on Oct 29.
The Childcare Champions Award, now in its 2nd edition, recognises the valuable contributions of individuals and institutions committed to creating a nurturing ecosystem for children’s proper growth and development. Rashmi Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, delivered an address emphasising the need for quality childcare for children’s development and the need for the training and capacity building of childcare workers.
Lending her voice to the urgent national conversation on quality childcare and support for children, Mandira conferred the Mina Swaminathan Award to Nirmala Kunwar for dedicating her life towards creating a better care ecosystem for children.
Speaking about the significance of childcare, Mandira Bedi said, “Every child deserves intentional care—not luck— that shapes their future. As a mom, I know the first six years of childhood define a person’s life. But millions of parents in India do not have the support systems they need to give their children that nurturing care. Through Mobile Creches and FORCES, I hope to help raise the right kind of awareness about childcare: That it is not a privilege, but a right.”
The care and support that children receive in the first six years of their life lay critical foundations for learning, health and wellbeing that can define their entire lives. Mandira’s support for the cause will help raise awareness about the importance of nurturing care in these crucial childhood years.
Her presence underscored the growing public recognition that childcare is central to India’s growth story. As a mother and adoptive parent, her journey embodies empathy and resilience — values that align deeply with Mobile Creches’ mission to make care visible, valued, and supported.
“Mandira represents the modern Indian parent—aware, compassionate, and willing to use her voice for the next generation,” said Sumitra Mishra, CEO, Mobile Creches. “Her association with us on International Day of Care marks a milestone in building public consciousness around nurturing care and shared responsibility for India’s youngest citizens. The only way to protect India’s future and achieve a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is to nurture our youngest citizens.”
The event also saw the launch of a Policy Brief on “Building a Skilled and Professional Childcare Workforce” by Sambodhi Research and FORCES. The brief highlights the impact of the undervaluation of care work on children’s developmental outcomes and women’s participation in the labour force. It calls for recognising childcare as a public good, increasing public investment, ensuring inter-ministerial coordination, and formalising care work as skilled and dignified employment.
It is pertinent to mention by 2030, India will have an estimated 164.5 million children under the age of six. Despite that wide array of national policies and schemes, childcare continues to be deprioritized. As India looks toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the message from the event was clear — the nation’s progress begins with its youngest citizens.
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