kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, August 1: Government and government-aided schools in Kolkata will now receive nutritious and hygienic mid-day meals prepared by the Annamrita Foundation, operated by ISKCON. The service-oriented initiative was officially launched on Saturday by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. During the inauguration programme, the Chief Minister participated in a special yajna organised by ISKCON and also visited the kitchen area, where he personally took part in the preparation of food.

After participating in the rituals and observing the meal preparation process, the Chief Minister flagged off the vehicles carrying the food supplies with a green flag, marking the formal beginning of the programme in the city. The initiative aims to provide quality meals to students while ensuring better nutrition and encouraging regular school attendance.

The launch event was organised with the participation of 40 students from five schools in Kolkata. From Saturday onwards, meals prepared by the Annamrita Foundation started reaching selected schools across the city. The programme is expected to gradually expand to cover more educational institutions in the future.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari congratulated everyone associated with the initiative and highlighted the importance of mid-day meals in improving children’s health and education. He said that the contribution of the mid-day meal programme in bringing children to schools and ensuring proper nutrition cannot be ignored.

The Chief Minister stated that at one point, a large number of children used to leave schools due to hunger and lack of proper nutrition. He said that the introduction of the Annamrita Foundation’s service in Kolkata from today would play an important role in providing healthy food to students and supporting their educational journey.

Recalling the period of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Suvendu Adhikari said that the concept of providing meals to schoolchildren had started at a time when transportation facilities and infrastructure were not as developed as they are today. Despite those challenges, the initiative was launched with the objective of improving children’s access to education.

He added that the present government has further increased the allocation for the scheme, strengthening its reach and effectiveness across the country. According to him, nutritional support for students is an important step towards building a healthier and more educated generation.

Praising the contribution of social and spiritual organisations such as ISKCON and the Ramakrishna Mission, the Chief Minister said that these institutions are not limited to spiritual activities but also carry out significant social responsibilities. He stated that organisations like these have consistently worked for public welfare and community development.

Suvendu Adhikari further said that along with support from the Government of India, several generous individuals and industrial organisations have come forward to support the Annamrita Foundation through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Their contribution has helped strengthen the foundation’s efforts to provide nutritious meals to students.

The launch of ISKCON’s mid-day meal service in Kolkata is being seen as a significant step towards improving the quality of school meals and ensuring better health among students. The initiative combines social service, nutrition support, and educational encouragement, with the aim of helping children continue their studies without facing difficulties caused by hunger or inadequate nutrition.