It is absolutely horrifying to see the state of our child-care centers. In Ernakulam district, over 50 anganwadis are operating without mandatory fitness certificates months after the academic year began. How can we gamble with children's lives? The report of a cobra found inside an almirah at an anganwadi in Karumaloor is a wake-up call we cannot ignore. While officials blame the "non-availability of assistant engineers" due to transfers, this administrative excuse doesn't protect a child from a snake bite or a structural hazard. We have nearly 600 centers without their own buildings, forced into subpar rented spaces because of unrealistic uniform rent policies. Our children deserve better than safety hazards and missing window panes. This systemic negligence regarding basic infrastructure must end immediately. Safety cannot wait for bureaucratic convenience. #parenting #safety #governance