New Delhi, February 28 – Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the ‘Morning Nutrition Programme’ organized by the Akshaya Patra Foundation on Saturday. The programme, in collaboration with 200 Delhi government schools, provides meals to nearly 90,000 children.
The Chief Minister stated that the smiling faces of schoolchildren demonstrate that nutrition is not just about food, but the very foundation for building a brighter future.
She emphasized that this commitment to service reflects India's cultural tradition, where donating food is considered a virtuous act.
The Chief Minister praised the organization and described the initiative as a strong foundation for the bright future of children, affirming that the Delhi government stands firmly behind the organization and will provide full support to this noble endeavor.
She noted that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has connected millions of children to schools and has played a significant role in their physical and mental development.
The ‘Morning Nutrition Programme’ will provide children with energy and nourishment at the start of the day, enabling them to actively participate in studies, sports, and other activities.
The meals are delivered in a timely manner through the Foundation's four state-of-the-art kitchens located in the capital. She termed the initiative as an important step towards the holistic development of children.
She stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives such as PM Poshan, the National Food Security Act, and the Poshan Abhiyaan have transformed nutrition into a people's movement in the country.
Healthy and well-nourished children, she said, form the bedrock of a developed India.
Referring to the Prime Minister's efforts towards women's and girls' health, nutrition for expectant mothers, the promotion of millets, and vaccination against cervical cancer, she remarked that all these initiatives are crucial to building a healthier India.
The Chief Minister added that, with the resolve that “no one should sleep hungry,” the Delhi government is providing meals at just ₹5 through Atal Canteens to workers, the underprivileged, attendants of patients, and other vulnerable persons.
The government aims to provide meals to one lakh people daily. In this regard, a target has been set to establish 100 Atal Canteens, of which 71 are already operational, she said.
She emphasized that focusing on nutrition and health is more important than treatment, as a healthy childhood defines a prosperous India.
The partnership model between the government and institutions such as the Akshaya Patra Foundation stands as an excellent example of coordination between society and governance, she said.
On the occasion, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shyam Jaju, National President of the Akshaya Patra Foundation Bharatarsabha Das, Vice-President Chanchalpati Das, Chairman of the Education Committee of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Yogesh Verma, along with several other dignitaries were present.
