The impact of mid-day meal in Rajasthan

In 2002, Rajasthan became one of the first states to implement the SC directive of providing cooked mid-day meals in government and government-aided schools across all its 32 districts. Since then there have been noticeable changes in the school environment resulting in increased enrolment at the elementary level, particularly of the girl child, significant improvement in health and quality of education, decrease in school drop-out rate, while also addressing the hunger and malnutrition issue to quite an extent. A 2016 study titled, ‘School Feeding and Learning Achievement: Evidence from India’s Midday Meal Program’ stated, ‘Continued exposure to mid-day meals contributed to an increase in test scores. Reading scores improved by 18% for children exposed for five years to mid-day meals, in comparison to children who had been exposed to mid-day meals for less than a year. The arithmetic test scores witnessed an improvement of 9%.’ To further this impact, The Akshaya Patra Foundation made its advancement towards Rajasthan in February 2004 as a mid-day meal serving NGO in Jaipur.

Akshaya Patra began its service with the introduction of the Jaipur kitchen in February 2004, followed by Baran (2005), Nathdwara (2006), Jodhpur (2013), and Ajmer (2016). To facilitate its Mid-Day Meal Programme, Akshaya Patra follows the centralised format of kitchen in Jaipur, Nathdwara, Jodhpur, and Ajmer, and operates the decentralised format in Baran for being a remote area. The three kitchens at Jaipur, Nathdwara, and Ajmer are ISO 22000:2005 certified facilities affirming the NGO’s commitment towards cleanliness, hygiene and other vital aspects of kitchen operations. Acknowledging the importance of maintaining a local taste for children to enjoy their meal, Akshaya Patra’s menu for mid-day meal in Rajasthan include rice, roti (Indian flatbread), dal (lentils curry), pulao (a rice-based dish cooked in a seasoned broth) and vegetable dishes. The strategic expansion of the NGO has resulted in its current beneficiary base of 1,70,723 children in 2,672 schools. 

Taking reference from two impact studies: Akshaya Patra: Feeding India's Schoolchildren – Harvard Business School 2007, and Assessment of Mid-Day Meal Programme in eight states - Sigma Research and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. 2014, it is observed that Akshaya Patra’s school meal programme resulted in consistent attendance of children, decrease in drop-outs and long absences, improved concentration, and significant improvements in nutritional level, height, and weight. Along with impacting the lives of children in Rajasthan, Akshaya Patra is also feeding children across 11 more states and has a total beneficiary base of over 1.6 million children. While it is moving ahead on its path to feed 5 million children by 2020, it requires your generous support. By choosing to donate towards this NGO you will also avail the benefits under 80G tax exemption in India. Come and join in the efforts of Akshaya Patra so that ‘No child in India is deprived of education because of hunger.’

Fundraise for Akshaya Patra for your special occasion

Doesn’t it feel good to celebrate your special days with much fun and fervour? Sure, it does. Now, how about including a few more guests in your celebration? These guests are young, ambitious, and for whom a plate full of sumptuous meal makes a day special! To know what struck this idea in me, just read on.

Recently, I came across The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO meeting the mid-day meal requirement of children across India. While I was going through their sphere of work, reach, and impact, I came across an interesting way to get involved with the organisation and thus came upon the above-mentioned idea of making our special celebrations more meaningful. The NGO provides a platform to make a donation in honour of someone, in memory of someone, and also for all your special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals. Just by contributing Rs. 2,850 from our celebration fund, we can feed three children for an entire year. Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?

Akshaya Patra has been in the service of children for the past 17 years. Currently, the NGO feeds 1.6 million children in 13,839 schools across 12 states in India. Aside from the visible improvement in the nutritional levels of children, the mid-day meals have also resulted in better concentration among children, increase in regular attendance, and a progressive decline in school dropout rate. The NGO aims at feeding 5 million by 2020. Indeed a herculean task, but it is definitely possible if we all pull in to support this cause. The online fundraising platform of Akshaya Patra is a convenient and reliable way to contribute towards the cause. Further, this platform also gives you the opportunity to create your own online fundraising campaign.  

The ambitious stories of Akshaya Patra’s beneficiaries testify the committed and sincere effort of the organisation. This charity for children is not only feeding the hungry stomachs but also feeding the hidden hopes and dreams of millions of children. So, when we make them a part of our special occasions, not only will we spread hope, but also nurture a generation of well-fed, well-read, and self-reliant citizens. Let us together contribute towards a meal-full present and a resourceful tomorrow!