THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, MARCH 17, 2026
“It is essential that our children, who are
the future of the nation, have ready access to nutritious food and quality
education,” said President Droupadi Murmu as she graced a landmark event
marking the serving of five billion meals by the Akshaya Patra Foundation at
the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering,
the President described the achievement as a remarkable milestone in advancing
educational objectives, emphasizing that the event’s theme, ‘From a
Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India’, reflects the
critical role of nutrition and education in realizing the nation’s vision of a
developed India by 2047. She underscored that building a safe and bright future
for children is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the government
to include teachers, parents, social organizations, the corporate sector, and
society at large.
Highlighting the
importance of foundational support systems, she stressed the need to ensure
that every child has access to quality education, nutritious food, healthcare,
and a clean and safe environment. These essential pillars, she noted, are key
to the holistic development of children and their transformation into
responsible citizens. She reiterated that education serves as a powerful
instrument of empowerment, shaping opportunities and enabling individuals to
navigate life’s challenges with confidence and competence.
The President
commended the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its sustained efforts over the past
25 years in combating child malnutrition and promoting school attendance
through its mid-day meal initiatives. She pointed out that such interventions
not only support children’s physical well-being but also enhance enrolment,
attendance, retention, and academic performance in schools.
Referring to government initiatives like the PM POSHAN scheme, she noted that school meal programs have become a strong incentive for parents to send their children to school. Backed by multiple studies, these initiatives have significantly improved learning outcomes among students. She also expressed satisfaction that the Akshaya Patra Foundation continues to play a vital role in advancing the objectives of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which aims to ensure inclusive and quality education for all by 2030.
Concluding her address, the President emphasized that children are not merely beneficiaries of welfare programs but the architects of India’s future. The investment in their nutrition and education today, she said, will shape a healthy, skilled, and energetic workforce capable of driving the nation towards the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
