For the past month, Anganwadi centers across Maharashtra have been closed due to a strike by two lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers, impacting the nutritional and health status of lakhs of children in the state. "Families in the village ask us when the school will restart. There are many malnourished children who need to be fed. We feel bad too, but if we do not do this, no one will listen to our complaints," said Sujata Indalkar, who was part of about 15,000 to 20,000 Anganwadi workers who stormed Azad Maidan, staged a roadblock near the BMC head office, and even occupied space at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, demanding fair compensation for their decades of efforts contributing to better public health in the state.

The women want their salaries to be Rs 26,000, up from Rs 10,000 for the workers and Rs 20,000, increased from the current Rs 5,500, for the helpers. The quantum of work done by the two is attested by the number of children benefiting under Anganwadi schemes in the state.