The Mid Day Meal programme in general has shown many positive impacts since the time it has been implemented by the Government of India. Many NGOs have taken up the cause and is working at the grass root level to ensure that the benefits are reached till the lowest strata of the society. One such NGO is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. It is an Bangalore NGO that was started in June 2000. It implements the Mid Day Meal Programme under the aegis of Central and State Governments. The Foundation provides food to more than 9000 Government schools across 10 states of India. It operates in 24 locations and feeds 1.3 million children every day.
There have been many evident positive impacts like increase in attendance and school enrolment, better concentration and improved academic performance, decrease in school drop-out rate. The significance of mid-day meal is beyond just filling hungry stomachs; rather it also ensures the children that their dreams are being supported through food and education. An evidence of the same lies in the scorecard of the recent Public Examination. Here is an anecdote of one of the Akshaya Patra beneficiary.
Smruthi D, a student of Anandashrama High School Kotekar, Mangalore who appeared for her Public Examination this year has scored a brilliant 92%. With this she has made her school and more importantly her mother proud. Smruthi wants to pursue her career as a doctor and not only that she has already begun charting out her plans for it. Her clarity on what she wants to achieve is witnessed when she says, “My neighbour is pursuing medicine, I will take guidance from her and work hard to reach my goal.” With the announcement of the exam results she has got one step closer to her dream.
Her mother says, “I got married at an early age and couldn’t continue my education, Smruthi will make my dreams come true.” Smruthi says, “I could have scored even better hadn’t I fallen sick during my mathematics exams.” Her mother adds, “We had almost given up hope. In spite of being so unwell, she wrote the exam and scored 87 marks. This is extremely satisfying.” Smruthi is a sports enthusiast and loves to play kho-kho and throw ball. Dancing is her next favourite. Smruthi is a beneficiary of Akshaya Patra’s Mid Day Meal in Bangalore. She loves the meal and says, “I like the curd-based menu the best. I eagerly wait for the lunch time.” Her mother rolls beedi to supplement the family income. She says, “I earn about Rs. 600 a week, and my husband is a driver. So my earnings help.” With a smile she says, “Just like how my earnings help my family, the mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra helps our children.”
Proud yet humbled at the success of its beneficiaries, Akshaya Patra aims to spread its wings to feed many more children in need. Support The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Your support matters.
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Akshaya Patra Foundation is doing their best by providing Mid day meal to school children...
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