New Delhi, March 17 President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday that it is essential that children, who are the future of the nation, have ready access to nutritious food and quality education.
She said that a safe and bright future for children is not solely the responsibility of the government, but a shared responsibility of all.
"When teachers, parents, social organizations, the corporate sector, and every segment of society work together, then we lay a strong foundation for the coming generation. We must ensure that every child receives quality education, nutritious food, good health, and a clean and safe environment. These fundamentals enable holistic development of children," Murmu said.
The president was speaking during an event to commemorate the five billion meals of the Akshaya Patra Foundation at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre here.
Murmu said that serving five billion meals is a remarkable achievement of the Akshaya Patra Foundation.
The theme of the event, 'From a well-nourished and well-educated India to a developed India’, underscores the significance of a nourished and educated society in realizing our national resolve to build ‘Viksit Bharat’ by the year 2047, she said.
The president said that it is essential that children, who are the future of the nation, have ready access to nutritious food and quality education.
She said that education is the instrument that determines the opportunities available in an individual's life and paves the way for their success.
"It serves as an effective medium for transformation and empowerment. The process of empowerment and capacity-building begins to take shape from the very moment children start attending school. School equips children with the skills and experiences necessary to effectively navigate the challenges of daily life and to become responsible, conscientious citizens," Murmu said.
She commended Akshaya Patra Foundation for working continuously to address the issue of malnutrition among children by delivering mid-day meals to schools for the past 25 years.
Murmu said that the government of India has launched numerous significant initiatives aimed at providing adequate nutrition and improved healthcare services to pregnant mothers and children.
The school lunch programme, implemented under PM POSHAN, has proven to be a significant incentive for parents to send their children to school, the president said, adding that numerous studies substantiate that, as a result of this programme, there has been an increase in children's enrolment, attendance, and retention in schools.
There has also been a remarkable improvement in their learning capabilities and academic performance, she said.
Murmu was happy to note that Akshaya Patra Foundation is playing an important role in furthering the objectives of ‘Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan,’ which aims to ensure quality and inclusive education for all children by the year 2030.
The president said that children are not merely beneficiaries of the free meal programme.
"They are the architects of the nation's bright future. The nutritious food they receive today is an investment in our nation's human capital. The healthy, educated and energetic children will constitute India's workforce and play a pivotal role in achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047," she added.