Way back in 1984, Gujarat became the second state after Tamil Nadu to begin implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The main objective of the scheme was to provide freshly cooked meals to school-going children on every school day, completely free of cost. The scheme was designed to meet the following goals: increase enrolment rate, reduce the dropout rate, improve child nutrition, achieve educational advancement, and promote social equity. Since the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, there has been a significant improvement in the nutritional and educational status among children. For instance, in 2011, it was reported that the literacy rate in Gujarat has risen to 79.31% as compared to 69.14% in 2001, with a male literacy rate of 87.23% and female literacy of 70.73%. In keeping with the same objective, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO in Ahmedabad began its mid-day meal service in the state in 2007.
As a part of self-assessment, Akshaya Patra time again partner with third-party research organisations to evaluate the impact of their programme. Taking reference from two such studies namely, Impact Assessment of The Akshaya Patra Foundation Mid-Day Meal Programme 2010 by A.C. Nielsen, and Assessment of Mid-Day Meal Programme in 8 states – Sigma Research and Consulting Pvt. Ltd. 2014, it is observed that there has been a significant increase in school attendance and enrolment, and remarkable improvement in nutritional status of children. Alongside, it was also observed that there is a decrease in drop-out rate and improved socialisation among children. As a committed organisation, Akshaya Patra ensures that while striving to feed the children, it also continuously keeps a tab on improving its operations and services so that maximum benefit can reach the children.Akshaya Patra has a total of four centralised kitchens in Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and most recently Bhavnagar.
The centralised kitchens of Gujarat are highly mechanised and are equipped with roti making machines capable of cooking up to 40,000 rotis (Indian flatbread) per hour. The kitchens in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat are ISO 22000:2005 certified facilities testifying the organisations utmost priority towards cleanliness, hygiene, and other obligatory operational aspects. In order to maximise the potential of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Akshaya Patra follows a locally palatable menu in each state. Thus, the mid-day meal menu in Gujarat includes a wholesome combination of roti, rice, khichdi (lentils and rice), dal (lentil curry) and vegetable preparations. Currently, this NGO in Ahmedabad feeds more than 3,90,000 children in 1,531 schools every day.
The organisation as a whole is striving towards reaching out to and feeding more and more children just not in Gujarat but across the entire country. With a current total beneficiary base of 1.6 million children, Akshaya Patra invites your participation and engagement in this noble cause. There are various ways you can offer support, such as sponsor a child, donate on special occasions, start an online fundraising campaign and the like. So, come forward and choose your way to support school meal for millions of children. Your single step of support will allow millions of children to take many steps towards their dreams.
