Launch of Morning Nutrition Program in Rural Bengaluru in association with Narayana Health, 28th July 2022
Narayana Health (previously known as Narayana Hrudayalaya), founded by Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, M.D., is a multi-speciality hospital chain in India, headquartered in Bangalore. It is known as a low-cost, affordable, globally benchmarked quality-driven healthcare service provider. Narayana Health aims to make a positive difference in the lives of the people by engaging in activities that eliminate or alleviates pain and suffering to the underprivileged sections of the society.
On 28th July 2022, the official launch of Morning Nutrition Program took place at Government school in Ramohalli, Kengeri – Bengaluru. This is an initiative taken by CSR wing of Narayana Health in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust. The event took place in the presence of Mr. Muthu Raju – Senior Executive, Narayana Health CSR, Mr. Bhanu Prakash – Narayana Health, Local Panchayat head, Headmasters & teachers of all the 4 schools who are part of this morning nutrition. Annapoorna Trust was represented by Mr. Ashish Bhardwaj – Manager – Operations, CSR Partners and Govt Alliances, Mr. Sushanth Karanth – Manager Corporate Communications, Mr. Sai Bhaskar – Relationship Manager & Mr. Anil Lingayat – Senior Executive Operations.
As part of this pilot initiative, a total of 360 children in Government schools of Ramohalli, Ketohalli, Subramanya Palya, and Chikelluru in Kengeri cluster will be benefited by this program. Morning nutrition will be provided to school children for all 6 days of the week.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Muthu Raju – Senior Executive at Narayana Health CSR said, “Our mission at Narayana Health is to deliver high quality, affordable healthcare services to the broader population in India. Along with this, Narayana Health is keen to make a difference to the society where we live in. In line with these objectives, Narayana Health has partnered with Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust in reaching out to rural poor children with a meal to start the day. In the coming days, we are having plans to roll out such morning nutrition plans in Government schools surrounding Narayana Health hospitals in Bengaluru & other locations in our country. We look forward for continued association with Annapoorna Trust & also support from Government officials, teachers, and people around.”
Mr. Ashish Bhardwaj – Manager – Operations, CSR Partners And Govt Alliances said at the event, “Just like fuel is required for any vehicle to run, a proper nutritious meal is required for every growing child. I express my thanks to Narayana Health for having come forward to support this noble initiative. Doddabele is a village in Kengeri wherein we first started morning nutrition in the year 2012. This has been operational even today. Some of the children from Doddabele have even joined our educational institutions which is offering free-of-charge education to the rural poor children. Currently, Annapoorna Trust is providing Morning Nutrition for more than 500,000 children in 22 states & 3 union territories.”
Being mindful of children’s local palates belonging to different regions in the country, Annapoorna Morning Nutrition program has 3 models or options and they are firstly, cooked breakfast which has been introduced here in this school, prepared at Govt. School Kitchen with the help of mid-day meal cooks; secondly, basic foods like cookies, bananas etc – suitable where cooking food is not feasible & thirdly, SaiSure multi nutrient health mix – collaborating on a Larger Scale with Governments. This SaiSure multi nutrient health mix has been designed to specifically meet the protein, calorie, vitamin, and mineral requirements, as well as micronutrients required for a growing child. The tasty and highly nutritious SaiSure health mix augments the milk provided by the government in the schools (part of their mid-day meals) and thereby, makes it a wholesome meal for the children.
The Annapoorna volunteers participated in the launch event and also partook breakfast with the children at Ramohalli school and subsequently visited Ketohalli school where cooked breakfast was being prepared for the children. The volunteers conveyed that the happiness and contentment on the faces of the children was notably evident after receiving a healthy breakfast before the start of their classes. They also expressed their satisfaction of having spent quality time on this eventful day with teachers and children.
