Launch of SaiSure Health Mix to 79,000 Govt. school children in Ramanagara District, Karnataka – 18th September 2022

September 2022 is observed as the “National Nutrition Month” in India with the aim of reducing the rate of malnutrition and anaemia, and improving health of children, adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating women. The first week of the month, September 1-7 is celebrated as “National Nutrition week,” with the purpose to raise awareness about value of healthy eating practices and proper nutrition for upholding a healthy lifestyle.

Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust continues to address the nutrition needs at various rural hinterlands of India. With 4 new launches planned in Karnataka this month, 4,75,000 children in all, will receive Morning Nutrition.

A formal MoU between district officials of Ramanagara and Annapoorna Trust was signed on 8^th September 2022 to introduce SaiSure health mix. Annapoorna Trust extends its gratitude for the complete support provided by Sri Digvijay Bodke, IAS (Zilla Panchayat CEO), district officials and the education department to initiate this program. SaiSure is a malt based multi-nutrient health supplement which has been introduced in Government Schools of Karnataka. It complements the Ksheera Bhagya Milk Scheme of the state government. This innovative and easy-to-prepare nutritious drink is an answer to the issue of hidden hunger, which is the lack of essential micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, iron, calcium, etc. SaiSure is available in Vanilla and Chocolate flavours and can be scaled up and expanded rapidly since it is easy to prepare and is quite cost-effective. Children relish the taste of SaiSure which has added value to the Ksheera Bhagya milk programme of state government.

The cooks need to just mix this health mix in the boiling milk prepared with the KMF Powder. 5gms of this health mix per child needs to be mixed to the 18gms of KMF Milk powder. The tasty mix filled with nutrients has received positive feedback from teachers, cooks and the children.

In the pre-pandemic days, with the due support of Mr. Mohammed Ikramulla Shariff, IAS – former CEO of Ramanagara Zilla Panchayat 60,000 children received SaiSure health mix. After the formal MoU was signed on 8^th September 2022, Annapoorna team delivered the supplies to 4 different taluks – Channapatna, Kanakapura, Magadi and Ramanagara. A total of 78,832 children from 1432 schools would receive SaiSure health mix. The inaugural program was held on 18^th September 2022 at one of the schools in the presence Sri. Digvijay Bodke, IAS (Zilla Panchayat CEO), district officials, Mr. Prabhakar Gupta – Trustee of Annapoorna Trust and Mr Kiran B P – regional manager of Annapoorna Trust.

A balanced diet, essential for good health and well-being is fulfilled by adequate nutrition. Children are the future of our nation and it is our responsibility, as a society, to give each one of them an equal opportunity to fully grow into healthy and happy adults.