Children are fundamental to a nation’s future because healthy children are more likely to grow into healthy adults. A population of healthy and educated citizens can propel any country to the top of the rankings in terms of development. Investment in children’s nutrition and education through interventions like mid-day meals can help them reach their full potential and eventually lead to the nation’s economic development.
Importance of Child Nutrition
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, India has more than 43 crore children in the age group of 0-18 years. The Government of India has recognised the importance of strategic investment in children from an early age and launched numerous programmes for their well-being. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds face a slew of challenges, such as poverty and malnutrition, that may cause life-long health issues like stunting, wasting, etc. Their inability to obtain adequate healthy food on a daily basis threatens their physical, mental and cognitive development, leaving them vulnerable to the challenges that life throws at them. Healthy nutrition provides them the energy and strength to survive and thrive, leading them to become productive members of society.
Childhood is a stage of dependence where children rely on their families and communities for their needs. It is also a time when they grow at a faster rate than at any other time of life. So, children need utmost care and attention to prevent malnutrition in all its forms. Undernourished children are vulnerable to impaired cognitive development and poor learning capacities. Undernutrition adversely impacts their behavioural patterns and attention span, thus resulting in poor school attendance as children are susceptible to falling ill rather frequently and low learning outcomes as they are unable to focus on academics or co-curricular activities. Nutrition boosts their immune system and concentration level, and consequently, their attendance and academic performance, thus helping unlock their potential.
Significance of Mid-Day Meals
In a country like India, which is well-known for its diversity, it is essential to ensure that all children—irrespective of their religion, caste, colour and gender—receive at least one nutrient-rich meal a day. The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme (PM POSHAN Abhiyaan) helps ensure the same. It is a crucial initiative by the Government of India to address classroom hunger and malnutrition in children. In order to add to the efficiency of such welfare initiatives, the government encourages participation from NGOs, corporates, philanthropists and individuals. Everyone’s efforts contribute towards the successful implementation of these initiatives, thus helping build a strong foundation necessary for a healthy nation.
Numerous NGOs in India are working tirelessly for the well-being of children by ensuring the proper implementation of nutrition interventions like the MDM Programme. They realise that these interventions are important for enhancing the nutritional status of children, ultimately unlocking their potential and enabling them to contribute to the nation’s development.