Team Goemkarponn
SALIGAO: At the opening of the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s (APF) first kitchen in Goa on Monday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasized that providing kids with sanitary midday meals will improve their physical and mental health and, in turn, raise the standard of education in the state.
Speaking at the Pilerne Industrial Estate, Sawant emphasized the State government’s long-standing collaboration with APF to offer students wholesome, freshly prepared meals. Students in grades 9 and 10 from the Saligao, Calangute, and Siolim constituencies will be served in the initial trial run.
North Goa will be served by the APF kitchen located at the Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelter in Pilerne, and a second facility in South Goa will shortly be operational. With assistance from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the 15,000 square foot kitchen in the center can make and serve 5,000 meals every day. 2,500 students will currently gain from the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan of the Indian government.
Sawant remembered the late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s efforts to introduce Akshaya Patra to Goa over ten years ago and offered his respects. He remarked, “I am encouraged to see his vision for wholesome midday meals becoming a reality on his punyatithi.”
The CM promised that current Self-Help Groups (SHGs) who provide midday meals would not be impacted by the new project. No new SHGs will be enrolled, however existing SHGs will continue to provide services. He explained, “It is now their duty to maintain quality and upgrade kitchen facilities.”
Officials praised APF’s efforts to fight hunger and malnutrition across the country as the event came to a close with a meal service and a tour of the kitchen.
