Akshaya Patra's Role in International Day of Women and Girls in Science

 Gender equality and science go hand in hand. Though there have been several initiatives across the globe regarding women empowerment in the field of science, yet we have a long way to go. In order to support scientific temperament, ensure equal access to and participation in science among girls and women, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. The 7^th International Day of Women and Girls in Science that is being observed in 2022 will focus on the theme of “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us" in an effort to make progress towards achievement of UN SDG Goal 6, i.e., Clean Water and Sanitation.

Women empowerment in the field of science is possible only when we nurture scientific temperament among girls from a young age. While there are several organisations, both academic and charitable working specifically on the cause of enabling girls and women to have a future in science, there are several NGOs who are boosting school education to give a strong foundation. One such organisation is The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an Indian NGO implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme across the country since past 21 years. The Foundation is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka and has its presence across 14 States & 2 Union Territories of India. Currently, Akshaya Patra provides nutritious mid-day meals to 18,00,907 children studying in 19,039 government schools and government-aided schools. The sole reason that motivates Akshaya Patra to keep striving to nourish children every day is the aspirations of its beneficiaries. So, the objective of this Foundation is not only to feed the children, but to support their nutritional intake and health so that they are physically fit to learn well and attend school regularly. Several impact studies on the effectiveness of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme have revealed that regular intake of nutritious school meals boosts health, improves regularity to school and concentration in class, and improves performance in academic and co-curricular activities.

Aside from implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to feed the children, Akshaya Patra time and again collaborates with reputed academic, arts and music, sports, and other philanthropic organisations to broaden the horizon and support aspirations of its beneficiaries. Recently, Akshaya Patra has collaborated with BYJU’s that will bridge the digital divide and enable accessibility to quality education free of cost for children hailing from economically weaker sections. When donors donate to NGO or when organisations collaborate as knowledge partners, they directly impact the development and lives of the beneficiaries. Below is a mention of a few girl beneficiaries who see their future in the field of science:

-          “I want to be a Doctor and provide free treatment to poor people”, says Sujita of Standard III, CPS Primary School, Silvassa, Daman.

-          “I want to give confidence to people who are insecure about their looks. I want to become a Cosmetic Surgeon and be the best that Odisha has”, says Roshni of Higher Primary School, Odisha.

-          “I want to become a Dentist, open my own clinic, and be counted among the top dentisits”, says Shyaali of Standard VIII, Ekaathmanagar School, Nagpur.

-          “I want to be a Nutritionist and educate people on proper meal planning and its role in keeping oneself free from diseases. I want to guide people on the importance of nutrition”, says Megha of Standard VII, GMHPS, Bellandur, Bengaluru.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, step in to support health and education of girl children. Donate to NGO and become an enabler of dreams. Step in now to feed the children with nutritious meals on each school day. Your donation will create an empowered generation and will reward you with tax exemption too (applicable for donations of ₹500 and above).

What does it take to deliver a hygienic midday meal

 

I snoozed my alarm. I was still so sleepy and tired. It was probably the medicines that showed its effect on my body. I was still recovering from the last week’s fall at home.

Today is the first day I went after this incident.

So I decided to wake up even before the next alarm went off.

There was a sharp shooting pain in my left leg. I found it difficult to move from one place to another; walking to the bathroom took me a good 5 minutes. I was worried about how I will perform in the kitchen today.

I got dressed up and was ready to leave home by 4.30 in the morning. I do not fear contracting the virus, I am not worried because my company – The Akshaya Patra Foundation ensured my safety by arranging vaccination for all its employees.

I reached the kitchen premise.

And my drill began.

I stood in line to get my temperature checked.

One of my colleagues had a slightly higher temperature than what was accepted, so he was asked to go back home.

It was my turn; the security guy checked my temperature. He asked me how I was doing. I didn’t know even the security guy knew about the accident.

I moved ahead to sanitise my hand.

 

Everyone was smiling and asking about me, I felt like a celebrity!

 

I tied my hair into a bun and put on the headgear. We all were asked to do this every day without fail because this was a midday meal NGO, and hygiene is of utmost priority here. Whether employees work in a centralised kitchen or a decentralised kitchen, headgear, masks and gloves are compulsory. After I was geared up with the head cap, I went ahead to wash my hands.

As I was washing my hands with soap and humming a song, Thaayamma joined me. I missed her! She reminds me of my deceased aunt.

 

Thaayamma: Yenamma Sridevi! How are you feeling now?

Me: I am fine akka. I just find it difficult to walk and sit these days.

Thaayamma: Oh is it? Maybe we can talk to the Supervisor to give you a chair for a few days.

Me: Is that possible? It’s never happened before.

Thaayamma:  Don’t worry! Ours is a centralised kitchen, I am sure we can find a chair for you to work on.

 

She went out of her way to take permission from the Supervisor and help me sit on a chair for me to work on.

 

I love my job here at Akshaya Patra! Every individual is respected and taken care of.

 

Everyone was so welcoming; like I had come back from a long weekend. It makes me so happy to come here every single day.

 

I stretched my hands as I was going to begin work after a long gap of 4 days. My task for today was cutting Mangaluru cucumbers, while Thaayamma was assigned carrots, Sarita with drumsticks and the rest beans, onions and tomatoes. The menu for today was Krishnamruth sambar with steamed rice.

 

The cook was shouting around asking all of us to hurry up, else Akshaya Patra – a midday meal NGO would be late to serve midday meals to children. As the rice was being steamed and the supervisor was checking on the seasoning ingredients, we had visitors in the kitchen. I heard from others that they had contributed earlier, and wanted to donate online this year too, but wanted to check on the quality and hygiene of the centralised kitchen. I glanced around the room, the visitor was a woman.

 

The visitor was not wearing a head cap. We were not so worried but could not deny the fact that even a strand of hair in the kitchen would raise a red flag. The supervisor came forward and politely handed over the head cap to her which she obliged.

 

It was a relief!

 

One helper was assigned to wash the vegetables in flowing water, twice. He then moved all the cleaned and washed chopping boards, knives and utensils to all of us.

 

Can you imagine washing hundreds of kilos of rice, dals and other legumes every day?

 

For cooking this sambar for around 5000 primary children coming from poor sections of society, we use close to 115kgs of different types of dals. As I was lost in doing my work in a rhythmic manner along with others, we cut close to 150kgs of vegetables; I forgot about my pain. After almost an hour of cutting and chopping, we all were finally done for the day.

 

It was almost 5.45 in the morning. I could smell the dals cooking in the cauldrons. I am glad that I am a part of this organisation that feeds children who otherwise do not get to eat anything nutritious or wholesome in one day. I hope I get the strength to come to this kitchen every day, no matter what situation I am in or what virus hits society.

I will continue working for the betterment of children!

 

Conclusion

This is just a glimpse of what Sridevi’s day in the kitchen is; this goes on every single day. Employees of Akshaya Patra work tirelessly, day after another to ensure that young children are fed with hot and nutritious meals. Donate online to support this midday meal NGO that feeds 1.8 million children every day.

Hope Stories Of 3 Children – A Reflection Of The Impact Of Mid-Day Meals

 

The Mid-Day Meal Programme has been one of the most crucial and impactful initiatives in the education sector. The main objective of this programme is to feed the children with nutritious meals, improve their health and support their education.

Akshaya Patra’s intervention

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an Indian mid-day meal NGO has been nourishing school children for the past 21 years. It is one of the pioneers in implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme in partnership with the central government, various state governments, and administrations of union territories. Currently, it provides mid-day meals to 18,00,907 children on each school day across 60 locations in 14 States and 2 Union Territories.

Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, Akshaya Patra found a way to feed the children. The Foundation started distributing Happiness Kits to its beneficiaries across India. Each kit consisted nutritious food items, learning materials and hygiene products.

Impact of mid-day meals

Mid-day meals have significantly boosted enrolment, regular attendance, performance of children, and their overall health. It has also contributed towards reduction in drop-out rate. Regularity of mid-day meals and schooling improves health and instils a sense of confidence in children respectively. Below are three stories that clearly showcases the significance of Mid-Day Meal Programme:

·         Sneha, Standard VIII, MP Prathamika Pathashala, Telangana says, “I want to be a teacher who can mould children to become better human beings and perform their duties well.” Her ambition stems from the hardships she has faced, especially with a father who is an alcoholic. She voices out firmly that her father’s irresponsibility towards the family resulted in innumerable difficulties. And she opines that nobody should be like her father who leaves their family to suffer. After years of silently suffering, Sneha received support from her teachers and friends who helped her to take a firm stand against her father. For her, school is like a haven where she finds the peace that is missing at home, and the school meals are her energy boosters. She loves to eat with her friends and vegetable sambar and rice are her favourite.

·         Prajesh, CPS Gujarati Medium School, Daman says, “I want make India a better place. I want to become a Prime Minister like Narendra Modi.” When Prajesh’s family shifted from Surat to Daman, his main worry was whether the schools in Daman would be as good as the one he was studying in currently. So, on day one, when he went to his new school in Daman, his first question to the teacher was “How is the education here?” Not only was the teacher surprised, but she was also glad to have found a promising student. Though Prajesh is a shy boy, yet he doesn’t shy away from suggesting ideas to improve a situation or a process. He has suggested a voting system to select head boy and head girl of the school. He also actively participated in the election campaign of the village head in his locality. While he is getting used to his new home, school, and friends, he says, “Since I come from Bareilly, I did not like the food here earlier, but now, I love it because of Akshaya Patra. I feel it is very similar to what I used to have in Surat. My favourite is roti and subzi.” 

·         Sujita, Standard III, CPS Primary School, Silvassa, Daman says, “I want to be a doctor and provide free treatment to poor people.” Sujita lives with her grandparents and had been waiting for her parents until recently when are grandfather revealed the hard truth. He told Sujita, “Your father had left you with us after your mother remarried. And since then, none of your parents have come to see you.” A young child, but with a strong heart, Sujita accepted the reality and always puts up a smile that hides all her struggles. Witnessing the difficulties her grandfather underwent to get treatment for her grandmother, she decided to become a doctor so that she can provide free treatment to poor people.

Step in to support

When you provide mid-day meal, you not only feed thechildren, but also facilitate their education an enable them to achieve their ambitions. Step in to support the efforts of this NGO in India by instantly contributing an online donation. Your contribution will create an empowered generation and will avail you tax exemption too (applicable for donations of ₹500 and above).