A new initiative serving affordable and nutritious millet-based meals has brought smiles and satisfaction to students at Bharathidasan University in Trichy. The recently launched campus canteen, operated by women's self-help groups, is making waves for its dual focus on student health and social impact.
Nourishing Meals with a Social Cause
The canteen, named Sirudhaniya Unavagam, began its operations on December 19. It is managed by collectives formed under the Mahalir Thittam project. For students like PhD scholar R Abinaya, the difference is palpable. "I can taste the nutrition and hygiene in every bite," she remarked while enjoying a millet-based dish. The menu features a variety of wholesome options, including millet dosas and nutritious soups, with prices carefully kept between ₹5 and ₹30.
This launch follows a similar successful opening at Thiruverumbur Government Arts College earlier in December. The initiative directly addresses a practical need for students. S Karthik, another student, highlighted the convenience, noting that many had been without a proper canteen for months and had to navigate a busy road to find food. "It's reassuring to see an initiative like this that also promotes a larger social cause," he said.
Backing from Institutions and Warm Reception
The project aligns with a September proposal by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE) to introduce millet-based canteens across state institutions. S Suresh, the project officer of Mahalir Thittam, confirmed that while currently operational in two institutions, proposals for other campuses, including NIT-Trichy, are pending approval.
To ensure the self-help groups' success, they have been exempted from rental charges and received essential training from the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women. The university canteen's setup was facilitated by a ₹10 lakh loan. T Sumathi, a member of the SHG running the university outlet, expressed encouragement at seeing students, who typically lean toward junk food, choosing their healthy offerings. "One even said the food tastes like home-cooked meals," she shared. Currently, nine members manage the university canteen.
Expanding the Model Beyond Campuses
The positive impact of this millet canteen model is not confined to educational institutions. In a significant expansion, a similar facility was opened at the Manapparai Government Hospital in November. According to a district official, the affordable and healthy meals have been well-received by patients and visitors, even sparking healthy competition among other food providers in the area.
This Trichy initiative demonstrates a powerful convergence of promoting nutritious diets among the youth, providing convenient and affordable services, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women's collectives—truly a small bite with a big social impact.
