Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) launched a special pilot project of training 1000 anganwadi workers of Vidisha district in Madhya Pradesh. Funded by UNICEF, the project is likely to be introduced in 30 districts of Madhya Pradesh. "Vidisha has been selected keeping in view the high rate of malnutrition in the district,' said V.N Rajasekharan Pillai, vice-chancellor, IGNOU. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between IGNOU, UNICEF and the department of women and children development of Madhya Pradesh for imparting training to improve skills of field-level functionaries. "IGNOU will develop the course material and the related audio and video,' said Ravi Mohan, chief PRO, IGNOU. "Provisions of teleconferencing and time slots on TV channels would also be made by the university,' he added. The components of the proposed training involves community health, infant care, innovative ways to combat malnutrition, nutrition during pregnancy, special needs of adolescent girls, anemia, issues related to women empowerment, immunisation and water purification.