Developing and changing paradigm of rural community through public policies: A study of Integrated Child Development Services scheme in Goa

Abstract

The welfare state is the most ideal concept adopted by many democratic states in modern times. Moreover, welfare states it has been seen in growing public policies for the welfare of the people in both urban and rural areas. However, most of the policies emphasize rural essence as the rural areas are still underdeveloped and developing which includes vulnerable groups like women, children, senior citizens, Scheduled Tribes, and Scheduled Castes. Government formulates the public policies after consulting with representatives of the people and the bureaucracy. One outcome of such an effort of the government of India in framing the public policy is the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme which is popularly known as the ICDS or Anganwadi scheme. ICDS scheme is particularly framed by the government as its flagship programme in 1975 to solve the problem of malnutrition among children till six years, lactating mothers, and pregnant women from rural areas. This scheme is the oldest scheme launched in 1975 and in this present scenario the scheme is reached every rural corner of India. This research is based on a case study in Goa which observes the development and changing paradigm of rural communities through the Integrated Child Development Services scheme.