Modi launches Akshaya Patra Foundation's mid-day meal scheme

Gandhinagar, July 29 (UNI) The Gujarat Government has roped in Bangalore-based Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide mid-day meal to 50,000 primary school children in Gandhinagar taluka and western areas of Ahmedabad.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the centralised kitchen of Akshaya Patra Foundation, built at a cost of Rs 75 lakh, yesterday and launched the Foundation's mid-day meal scheme.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi informed that the state government has sanctioned Rs 2 per student as subsidy for the scheme.

''The public partnership in the mid-day meal scheme will bring about qualitative change,'' he said.

Mr Modi said that ''tithi bhojan'' has become a symbol of social unity and a boon for children and has been widely welcomed in government schools.

The Sanjivani Milk Project for government school children in co-operation with Banas dairy in tribal area of Danta-Amirgadh has also proved successful, Mr Modi said, adding that the project has yielded fruitful result in providing nutritious food to tribal children.

Education Minister Anandiben Patel, who was also present on the occasion, said as many as 30,000 centres are functioning to provide nutritious food to school children.

Madhu Pandit Das, Chairman of Akshaya Patra Foundation said that nearly eight lakh poor children were getting mid day meal through AkshayaPatra Yojana in the country.

UNI