The role of mid-day meals in nurturing a healthy world

 'Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and the citizens of tomorrow'- Jawaharlal Nehru

As the first Prime Minister of India said, childhood is the budding stage and thus requires utmost care and attention during this age. It is the pivotal period for physical, mental and cognitive development. So, when a child is born, parents do everything for their overall well-being. They give them everything they need for a better future. However, there are families who unable to provide nutritional meal to their children on a regular basis due to their financial constraints. Should the children of such parents be left behind due to their difficult circumstances? A big No! 

Here lies the importance of implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme in schools. 

Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM) - A source of nutrition

Mid-Day Meal Programme (PM POSHAN Abhiyaan) is a crucial initiative put forward by the Government of India to address classroom hunger and malnutrition among children in government and government-aided schools. If children don’t have adequate nutrient-rich food, it may cause long-term consequences in their life like stunting, wasting, etc. 

Through this programme, the government ensures that all children, regardless of their financial and family backgrounds, are receiving a wholesome meal at least once a day, thus, improving their academic performance. 

How MDM improves academic performance?

Studies have proved that children who receive mid-day meals have a better attention span which helps them to concentrate on their classes and perform well in their academics. Without sufficient nutrition, they will not get the energy to focus on their learning effectively. 

Mid-day meal encourages children to go to school as they are receiving hot, tasty, nutritious, lunch in their school thus increasing enrolment, attendance and retention rate, along with enhancing their nutritional status.

MDM supports girls’ education and health

The study of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) finds that girls are more vulnerable to undernutrition than boys.  The report says, 59.1% of adolescent girls are anaemic because, during the adolescent stage, girls are at the onset of menstruation. This is a crucial time in their life, and so, any nutritional deficiencies might have an adverse impact on the health of the girl, ultimately affecting the future of the country in general. MDM promotes girls’ education and their health as it motivates parents to send their children to school, irrespective of their gender. 

If girls can continue their education, it helps them to pursue their career goals, ultimately they can be the productive citizens in India.

Role of NGOs in MDM

NGOs play a crucial role in serving the beneficiaries of the MDM. Akshaya Patra is an NGO for children, currently feeding 2 million children every day across schools in 15 states and 2 union territories in India. 

With the support of the government, corporates, philanthropists, individuals, and well-wishers, the organisation has made noteworthy contributions in the implementation of the programme and is consistently seeking every possible avenue to reach out to more children in India. The organisation’s mission is to feed 3 million children by 2025.