As a nation, we
are independent of any rule from external nations and have our own democracy. But,
should independence only mean freedom from external rulers? This question is
sure to open up a plethora of answers depending on the varied perceptions we
all have about freedom. However, from the perspective of freedom from hunger in a population of approximately 1.28 billion
people, the hunger population starkly stands at 194 million, one of the highest
in the world. This hunger situation is also an indication to the alarming poverty-illiteracy
scenario in the country.
Being a
participant nation in United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals, India is
working towards achieving Millennium Development Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme
Poverty and Hunger, and Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieve Universal
Primary Education. There indeed has been progress towards achieving the
mentioned goals but as a nation we are yet to get 100 per cent freedom from hunger, poverty and
illiteracy. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan and Mid-Day Meal Scheme are among the
potential and promising developmental programmes initiated by the Government of
India to counter illiteracy and hunger among children. The primary purpose of
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan is to ensure that children from all sections of the
society are being recipients of the fundamental right to primary education. The
Mid-Day Meal Programme on the other
hand acts like a supporting pillar to Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan as the primary
objective of this initiative is to counter classroom hunger by providing free
cooked meals to children at all government schools.
A review of the
mentioned initiatives reveals its efficiency and potential in eradicating the
poverty-hunger-illiteracy cycle. The Government runs these programmes in
association with various NGOs with the aim that the benefits of the programmes
should reach the population at the grass root level. The Akshaya Patra
Foundation is one such NGO that has taken up Mid-Day Meal Programme as its primary cause. By implementing this
programme in a Public-Private Partnership model, Akshaya Patra is feeding
hungry children with nutritious meals across 10 states in India. This
meal encourages children to attend school and also boosts their aspirations.
When you donate for the cause you
are actually contributing towards children
hunger fund that is utilised to continue feeding hungry children with wholesome meals each day. A click at Stories
of Hope will introduce you to many young lives with aspirations and dreams like
any regular children; the only difference being their current socio-economic
status. But your participation in the programme as a donor, volunteer,
well-wisher can prove to be a catalyst for change.
Happy Independence Day to all!!!
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