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Nutrition, Education and Social Development: The transformative impact of school feeding programmes

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In a world where millions of children continue to face hunger and limited access to education, the connection between nutrition and learning has become increasingly important. Hunger apart from being a health issue, also directly affects a child’s ability to concentrate, learn and grow into a productive member of society. In India, one organisation that has successfully addressed this challenge at scale is The Akshaya Patra Foundation , which operates the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programme. By providing nutritious mid-day meals to over 2.35 million children every day, the foundation demonstrates how nutrition can become a powerful tool for educational and social transformation. Nutrition, Education and Social Development: The transformative impact of school feeding programmes Scientific research has consistently shown that nutrition plays a crucial role in cognitive development. The human brain requires a steady supply of nutrients to function effectively, especially du...
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Mid-Day Meal Scheme in India: Evolution and Impact on the Education System

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In India’s school education system, the majority of children are enrolled in government and government-aided schools. Most of them come from challenging socio-economic backgrounds where access to nutritious food every day remains uncertain. Hence, implementing child development programmes in schools can create a significant difference. Understanding this, The Government of India came up with a programme called PM POSHAN (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme) that aims to reach every child with nutritious mid-day meals. The programme has shown proven improvement in empowering children to study further, achieve the future they dreamt of and thus advancing the nation. Meals for children today,  Empowered nation tomorrow A Brief Look into the Programme’s Evolution The Chennai Origin The roots of India’s school feeding programmes can be traced back to 1925, when the Madras Municipal Corporation introduced a school meal programme at Thousand Lights in Chennai, initially serv...
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Nourishing tomorrow: How mothers shape their child's future through food

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A child's future begins not in a classroom but in a kitchen. Every meal a mother serves shapes her child's growth, learning ability and potential. Nutrition is nurturing and a mother's influence extends far beyond feeding. In every meal served with care, a mother invests in her child's future: stronger bodies, sharper minds and brighter possibilities The critical foundation From pregnancy through age two, proper nutrition is essential. It fuels brain development, strengthens immunity and builds the foundation for learning and behaviour. Poor nutrition in these early years can have lasting consequences that are difficult to reverse. A mother's role begins before birth. Her own health and nutrition during pregnancy directly influence her child's future development and resilience. Feeding as connection Breastfeeding is more than nutrition. It's protection, comfort and connection. In those quiet moments, a child receives nourishment, security and love ...
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Building Sustainable Futures Through Nutrition and Learning

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Sustainability today goes beyond the environment. It is about how social, economic and institutional systems work together to solve challenges pertaining to societal development. In the context of food security, sustainability becomes essential in ensuring not just the availability of food, but consistent access to safe, nutritious and affordable meals over time. Feeding programmes such as mid-day meal initiatives play a critical role in this effort by addressing immediate hunger while also supporting long term outcomes like improved school attendance, better learning and enhanced child development. When implemented at scale and with a focus on efficiency, these programmes contribute to stable and stronger communities. Global research continues to show that short term interventions, while necessary in moments of crisis, are not enough to create lasting change. The World Bank notes that poverty reduction is most effective when supported by sustained investment in human capital, par...
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5 Ways Akshaya Tritiya Contributions Can Transform Lives

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Redefining True Wealth: The Gift That Endures Akshaya Tritiya  is often seen as a day for new beginnings, marked by gold purchases and auspicious investments. Yet, its deeper meaning lies in akshaya, that which never diminishes, symbolising continuity, abundance and lasting impact beyond a single moment. Traditionally, it is believed that what is given on this day multiplies. This reflects a broader idea of abundance that goes beyond material wealth to include generosity, nourishment and shared humanity. In Indian culture, feeding others is among the highest forms of giving. Associated with Goddess Annapurna, the day reinforces that true prosperity lies in ensuring no one goes hungry. Turning acts of giving into lasting transformation The transformational impact of contributions 1. Strengthening nutritional security Organisations such as The Akshaya Patra Foundation play a significant role in addressing classroom hunger by providing nutritious mid-day meals to millions of schoolchi...
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From Children to a Healthy Nation: Nutrition Matters

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 The whole world is striving to alleviate malnutrition. In the global efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030, India is making progress as well. However, the issue still persists and the country continues to combat it by implementing initiatives and programmes. Malnutrition: Definition, Causes and Challenges “Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition covers two broad groups of conditions. One is undernutrition, which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age) and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals). The other is overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer).” - World Health Organisation For a balanced diet, dietary diversity is the key. People should follow a diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and ...
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How Nutrition Shapes the Future of Classrooms in India?

  Starting a day with an empty stomach not only affects us physically, but also psychologically that can lead to irritation, lack of concentration and productivity.   How would you feel if you skipped your meals for a day? Now, imagine a child sitting in a classroom for hours, stomach empty, trying to stay attentive. This is the reality of children, especially from challenging socio-economic backgrounds, who cannot access even one meal a day. Impact of Nutrition on Classroom Performance According to UNESCO’s reports, “About 258 million children and youth are out of school. The total includes 59 million children of primary school age, 62 million of lower secondary school age and 138 million of upper secondary age.” One of the main reasons for this is the struggle to meet the basic needs such as food, because for them, the real struggle is not the academic pursuit but to fight the physical and mental strain caused by a lack of nutrition. Mid-day meal has proven to be a p...
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