Hippocrates once said, “Our food should be our medicine and our medicine should be our food.” Along similar lines, Linus Pauling stated, “Good nutrition will prevent 95% of all diseases.”
However, even though India's GDP saw tremendous growth since 1991, several marginalized sections in India still face financial challenges and lack access to even one meal a day, leave alone protection from diseases.
As a result, India had the largest number of undernourished people even before the pandemic. And since the outbreak of Covid, the number of people experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity rose by about 9.7 crores. (Source)
The grave consequence of all this is that India is home to the largest number of malnourished children in the world today.
Protect the Future
Finally, school bells are ringing after a two-year-long gap. Children have returned to school and so have their hopes and dreams. This is the time when people of India can contribute to changing their destiny by donating for their nourishment. Because dreams alone cannot lead the marginalized and malnourished children towards their goals of a better life.
What they need is nourishment and energy in their bodies to be able to learn, apply, play, interact and innovate.
One of the most proven ways to help children lead better lives and grow healthy is by providing midday meals (MDM).
The Midday Meal Programme (MDM) was mandated by the Government of India in 2001 to serve nutritious food in Government and Government-aided schools. However, its implementation was a major problem. So, several NGOs came forward to feed children in such schools with the Government’s support.
One such NGO in India that is renowned for working diligently towards this purpose is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. What started by feeding 1,500 beneficiaries in 2000 has now grown to nourish over 1.8 million children as of 2022. The Foundation has also been recognized multiple times for its financial transparency.
Nourishing Children
Ever since schools reopened after the pandemic, experts fear that another wave could further the gap of nutrition and education in school-going children. They suggest that parents can boost their children’s immunity by including certain food groups in their diets.
However, for children from low-income families, such guidance is barely available. That is why NGOs in India have taken the initiative to provide nourishing school meals as per the guidelines of the government bodies.
Some of the essential nutrients that a child must get at least once a day during their growing years are:
• Protein: builds new cells, breaks down food into energy and helps the body fight infections
• Carbohydrates: a crucial energy source that helps in utilizing fat and protein in building and repairing damaged tissues
• Fats: another important energy source that helps the body use nutrients efficiently
• Calcium: supports the healthy development of bones and teeth, aids blood clotting along with proper functioning of the nerves, muscles and the heart
• Iron: forms healthy blood that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body
• Vitamin B: helps in producing red blood cells and assists in metabolic activities
• Vitamin C: fights diseases such as common cold. It helps form and repair tissues, bones and red blood cells. It strengthens gums and blood vessels while boosting the immune system to provide protection against infections. It also enables wounds to heal faster
• Fiber: helps maintain regular bowel activity. It also lowers the chances of cancer and heart diseases in the future.
Keeping these nutritional requirements in mind, Akshaya Patra devised a cyclical meal plan that all its kitchens follow every day. The meal plan ensures that every meal has a balanced combination of all nutrients that will aid in holistic development of children.
Moreover, each meal plan is also prepared according to the local palatal preferences of children according to the different regions they reside in across India. For instance:
• In North India – Roti is served more
• In South India – Rice is served as it is preferred
Final Thoughts
Providing balanced school meals for children is an opportunity to fill up the nutritional gaps in our society. Because contributing to the nourishment of the current generation will give rise to healthy, prosperous and inclusive societies in decades to come.
But focusing on the citizen’s health is more than the responsibility of its government alone. A multi-stakeholder effort is extremely necessary to bring long-term changes and build well-developed nationals of the future.
Such a transformation is now possible by supporting organisations that nourish children. Akshaya Patra is one such NGO in India that has been serving nutritious food to underprivileged children for 21 years.
You can donate to feed the children from challenging backgrounds, on their website with a single click and it will serve balanced school meals to millions of children every day for an entire academic year. Moreover, Akshaya Patra’s meals are recognized for being prepared according to guidelines mandated by the Supreme Court of India and the Ministry of Education (formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development).
So, why wait? Become an active citizen who cares for India’s future. Donate to feed children or raise a fundraiser for children’s holistic nourishment today.