President Murmu: Midday Meals Are Investment in Human Capital for Viksit Bharat
Ensuring good nutrition for children represents a crucial investment in human capital, President Droupadi Murmu declared on Tuesday. She emphasized that children are not merely beneficiaries of the midday meal programme in schools but rather the architects of the nation's bright future.
Celebrating 5 Billion Meals Milestone
President Murmu was speaking at an event commemorating the remarkable milestone of serving 5 billion meals and celebrating 25 years of service by the Akshaya Patra Foundation. The event took place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
The President stated that serving five billion meals in advancement of educational objectives stands as a remarkable achievement for this not-for-profit organization. She highlighted how this accomplishment directly supports educational goals across the country.
Partnership with PM POSHAN Initiative
As an implementing partner of the Government of India's flagship PM POSHAN initiative, Akshaya Patra has been serving fresh, nutritious meals to millions of children studying in government schools throughout India. This partnership has been instrumental in reaching children across diverse regions and communities.
Murmu added that the theme of the event, 'From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India', underscores the fundamental significance of a nourished and educated society in realizing the national resolve to build 'Viksit Bharat' by the year 2047.
Children as Drivers of Economic Growth
"Children are not just beneficiaries of the free school lunch programme; they are the drivers of a productive, competitive future workforce to ensure a $30 trillion economy by 2047," President Murmu asserted during her address.
She elaborated further, stating, "Every meal is an investment in our nation's human capital, resulting in a healthy, educated youth demographic dividend that will contribute to the socio-economic growth of a new and developed India."
Symbolic Gesture and Distinguished Presence
In a symbolic gesture highlighting the importance of nutrition, the President personally served food to a group of children during the event. This act reinforced her message about the dignity and importance of proper nourishment for young learners.
The occasion was attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Akshaya Patra Foundation's founder and chairman Madhu Pandit Dasa, and co-founder and vice-chairman Chanchalapathi Dasa. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort between government and non-profit sectors in addressing child nutrition.
Addressing Malnutrition and Encouraging Education
President Murmu commended Akshaya Patra for working continuously to address the critical issue of malnutrition among children and encouraging them to pursue education by delivering mid-day meals to schools for the past quarter century.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed this sentiment, stating, "Unless our children and youth are well-nourished, India cannot fully realize its potential." This statement reinforced the government's recognition of nutrition as foundational to educational and national development goals.
The event highlighted how nutritional support through midday meals serves multiple purposes:
- Improving school attendance and retention rates
- Enhancing cognitive development and learning outcomes
- Addressing malnutrition among vulnerable populations
- Supporting the broader vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047
President Murmu's remarks positioned the midday meal programme not as mere charity but as strategic national investment. By framing children as architects of India's future rather than passive recipients, she emphasized the transformative potential of proper nutrition combined with education.
The 5 billion meals milestone represents more than just numbers—it symbolizes millions of children who have received nutritional support that enables them to focus on their education and development. As India works toward its Viksit Bharat vision, such investments in human capital through programmes like PM POSHAN will continue to play a crucial role in building the nation's future workforce and leadership.
