Rs 2 breakfast eases hunger and boosts punctuality in this Koppal rural school

Photos: Vijay Motagi serves breakfast to govt schoolchildren in Hanumasagar village of Kushtagi taluk in Koppal district Koppal: At a time when food prices continue to rise, a small hotel owner in Hanumasagar in Kushtagi taluk is drawing attention for serving breakfast to schoolchildren at just Rs 2, a practice he has sustained for nearly 25 years.The initiative supports students from nearby villages such as Madikeri, Miyapur and Hosahalli, who attend the govt high school in the area. Many of them reach school early in the morning, often without having eaten.To address this, the hotel located just outside the school premises provides a plate of avalakki (beaten rice) at a nominal cost of Rs 2. In several cases, students are served food even if they are unable to pay."We come to school by 8am and have breakfast here. Sometimes he takes just one or two rupees, and often he doesn't charge us at all. It really helps students like us," says Sharanabasava, a student whose parents are agricultural labourers.Hotel owner Vijay Motagi says the initiative has been a long-standing family practice. "For about 25 years, we have been serving breakfast to students at Rs 2 per plate. In our family, we decided long ago to keep the price minimal for schoolchildren, and I am continuing the same tradition," he said.Vijaya Motagi said the effort is not profit-driven. "The practice was started by my elder brother, who earlier ran the hotel and ensured affordable food for students. More than profit or loss, the happiness of children who come here for food matters to me," he added.High school teacher Kishan Rao Kulkarni says while elders are charged Rs 30 for avalakki bath, the same is provided to schoolchildren for Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5 or sometimes free if they do not have money. "It is truly a noble service," he said.The initiative has become a support system for many rural students, helping them begin their day with a meal and attend school without hunger.