Message from the Founder – Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai: Launch of SaiSure “Raagi Java” in Telangana
SaiSure Fortified Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient Health Mix was launched for 25 Lakh (2.5 million) Govt. School Children of Telangana.
Providing nutritious food to everyone is essential. Especially for young children attending schools, this nutritious diet is crucial for their growth. Recognising this need, the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust started the “Morning Nutrition Program” in the year 2012, benefiting 50 children. Over time, the program expanded, and today it covers 30 lakh children (3 million children) across 40,000+ govt schools in 23 states and 5 union territories. The Trust’s efforts have been commendable and recognised by various government institutions, societies, and organisations. The program has expanded not only within the country but also in 5 other countries.
Since 2016, the program has covered 10 districts in Telangana state, benefiting around 7 lakh students. Currently, the program will provide morning nutrition to approximately 25 lakh students in around 34,000 schools across Telangana. The joint efforts of the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust and the Telangana Education Department have made this initiative successful. Providing nutritious food has helped prevent various illnesses among children. The program’s main objective is to ensure that no child in any government school goes to school hungry ever!
All the school children in Telangana state will now get “SaiSure Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient Health Mix,” a nutritious health drink prepared with grains, millets, jaggery, and other essential vitamin-mineral mixes. This is prepared in a state-of-the-art nutraceutical facility setup in Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka. With the approval from PM Poshan Abhiyan Project Approval Board (PAB) and the Department of School Education – Telangana, this programme will be executed with an annual cost estimated at Rs.30 crores. The implementation will be undertaken in joint partnership with Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, which will also contribute half of the annual cost.
In all the districts of Telangana, the initiative of providing nutritious food to every government school student is being undertaken with enthusiasm. I applaud all the stakeholders involved in this noble cause. On this auspicious occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the trustees, volunteers, vendors, school teachers, students, their parents, and government educational institutions. I extend my best wishes to the Telangana government and the State Education Department on this momentous occasion.
“Good nutrition, education, and proper health are every child’s first right,” and we are diligently working towards fulfilling this responsibility day and night.
The primary objective of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust is “let no child go to school hungry ever!” and we shall continue providing morning nutrition to every needy student. Until the problem of malnutrition among children in the country is resolved, the Trust will continue its tireless efforts.