VARANASI, Sept. 10 -- Criticising the previous government, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday claimed liquor mafia was supplying nutrition material to anganwadi centres before 2017 and most of these centres in the state were in a dilapidated condition at the time. He was speaking at the launch of the ninth Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi. The programme will run from September 9 to October 8. Adityanath said his government improved the condition of anganwadi centres, developing them into 'model' centres for the first time with an investment of Rs.30 lakh each. Over the past nine-and-a-half years, more than 70,000 centres have been revamped, he said, adding that facilities such as toilets and drinking water are now available and 'Bal Vatikas' (preschool sections) are operational. "Before 2017, anganwadi centres were in a dilapidated state, lacking facilities like drinking water, and toilets. Most anganwadi centres were filthy," he said. "When we took office in 2017, we asked why the centres were neglected? Then I discovered that a liquor mafia figure in Uttar Pradesh was supplying the nutrition material. It also came to light that the nutrition material reached the centre in three months," he said. "Children used to carry their own jute mats to the anganwadi centers. There was no drinking water, no toilets, and no hot cooked meals," he said, adding, "Someone else would commit the error, yet the anganwadi worker would face the backlash; the mistakes were made by people sitting in Lucknow, but you bore the brunt of the criticism, and you didn't even receive your honorarium." He said his government resolved to improve the condition of every anganwadi centre. "We prioritised every centre. Whether through the State Finance Commission or the Central Finance Commission, anganwadi centres have been made a priority in budget allocations. Today, Bal Vatikas operate here, where children learn the alphabet and numbers through play," he added. "Remember, a young person's future is shaped by their childhood, and childhood begins with a healthy mother and a healthy child; if the mother is healthy, the child will be healthy." "If the child is healthy, a healthy student naturally emerges; a healthy student grows into a healthy youth. And when a youth is healthy-both physically and mentally-one can be certain that they will move forward with a positive mindset to steer the nation's future in the right direction," he said. The ideal of governance in our culture is 'Ram Rajya', a system where no one is poor or destitute, and which possesses all the qualities necessary to foster a healthy society, he said. "The change we see today is the result of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision. He took steps in 2014 to strengthen the foundation of the country, building on the work he had implemented on the ground in Gujarat since 2001." He explained that five key themes have been included in this year's campaign: dietary diversity and protein-rich food; fresh, hot cooked meals at centres; community ownership and participation; nutrition and early childhood development; and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. He further stated that over Rs.2,100 crore has been provided to 50 million mothers through these centres. Recalling a visit to an anganwadi centre in Kanpur, he highlighted the excellent work being done at these centres now. "As we approach the centenary of independence, we aim to build a self-reliant and developed India, with empowered anganwadi centres at its core," he said. He also said approval has been granted to provide two sets of uniforms to children in Bal Vatikas. The Basic Shiksha Parishad is providing uniforms, sweaters, bags, shoes, and socks to 16 million children. Under 'Project Alankar,' new buildings are being provided for secondary education institutions, with funds allocated for the renovation of 2,100 school buildings that are over 40 years old, he said. Annapurna Devi, the Union minister for women and child development, Savitri Thakur, Union minister of state for women and child development, and Baby Rani Maurya, Uttar Pradesh minister for women welfare and child development, were present on the occasion. The theme for this year's campaign is 'Hamari Anganwadi - Hamari Zimmedari' (Our Anganwadi - Our Responsibility). The chief minister interacted with an anganwadi helper from Odisha and an anganwadi worker from Gorakhpur. He discussed the role of anganwadi centres in the development of malnourished children with the helper from Odisha, while the worker from Basiyapur village in Gorakhpur mentioned that the chief minister had visited her village, a fact Adityanath acknowledged....