With the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government has implemented a paradigm shift in the ‘Mid-Day Meal Scheme’ by enhancing the nutritional component for children, alongside generating massive employment opportunities for women.The government has viewed the ‘Mid-Day Meal Scheme’ not just through the lens of ‘social welfare,’ but framed Punjab’s social growth on its foundation.
In a historic development in September 2023, the government decided to bring almost 1.95 lakh students from the Upper Kindergarten (UKG) sections in government schools under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, who were till then left out of this beneficiary list. This is one such development that has directly stemmed from the Chief Minister’s conviction that no child who studies in the Punjab State educational structure is to have hunger in their lives, including the most developing stages of the child. This has proved to be extremely effective for the rural and poorer areas, as the mid-day meal is the only healthy meal provided for the day.
Emphasizing quality and innovation in the sector, the Mann government brought the initiative of supplying seasonal fruits to school children once a week starting from January 2024. Later on, the nutrition-expert-prepared scientific weekly menu came into action. Along with this, kinnows and carrots have also been added to the menu to help the children as well as the kinnow farmers.
Perhaps the most revolutionary vision outlined by the Chief Minister is being implemented in the form of the proposed “Breakfast Scheme” for children in schools, which has been based on highly successful models in other states. Through acknowledging the connection between health and education, Bhagwant Mann has placed Punjab on the list of forward-looking states that pay attention to the well-rounded development of children.
These measures have also improved livelihoods for more than 44,022 women working as cooks under the mid-day meals program in almost 19,700 schools. For women who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, this initiative gives them a sense of dignity, livelihood, and purpose in nation-building. Today, with the leadership of CM Mann, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has transformed into a case study of good governance that sustains children through nutritious meals, uplifts women, and helps Punjab by building its future through meals.
