Morning nutrition drive for students

New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday said "there can be no greater service than ensuring that a child does not come to school hungry" as she launched the Akshaya Patra Foundation's morning nutrition programme in the capital. Gupta said initiatives like this strengthen the foundation of education by supporting children's health, energy levels and learning ability. "Such collaborative efforts between the govt and organisations like Akshaya Patra are vital for building a healthier and brighter future for our nation," she said.
Under the initiative, Akshaya Patra will distribute ready-to-eat morning energy snacks to more than 90,000 students in Delhi govt schools. The programme will supplement the mid-day meals served under the Centre's PM Poshan scheme. The chief minister said early-morning nutrition plays a key role in helping children stay attentive in classrooms. She added that the Delhi govt remains committed to supporting programmes that address hunger and improve learning outcomes. Akshaya Patra officials said the morning nutrition programme was designed to bridge nutritional gaps early in the day, noting that children who reach school without a morning meal often struggle with concentration. The programme currently covers around 8 lakh children in six states, and its extension to Delhi marks a significant addition. The foundation began work in Delhi in 2019 with a kitchen in Gole Market and later expanded to Samaypur Badli, Jahangirpuri and Mohan Cooperative. It now provides mid-day meals to more than 90,000 children in govt and govt-aided schools across the city. Initially, the foundation will distribute millet-based ready-to-eat snacks such as chikki, peanuts and protein bars six days a week. "In the next six months, we plan to introduce hot cooked breakfasts such as idli, poori and other regional items," said Chanchalapathi Dasa, co-founder and vice-chairman of Akshaya Patra. Students from Atal Adarsh Bengali Balika Vidyalaya, Gole Market; C L Bhalla DAV Senior Secondary School and many others were also present at the programme.