Momentous Launch of Free Morning Nutrition – SaiSure Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient Health Drink in entire Karnataka, 22nd Feb 2024
Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust has initiated a free morning nutrition programme for all the government and government-aided school-going children across the entire state of Karnataka. This programme which is a part of PM Poshan Abhiyan scheme and Ksheera Bhagya Scheme of state government, will reach out to 55,56,000 students across the state. In view of the year 2023 declared as the ‘International Year of Millets,’ these children will receive SaiSure Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient health mix along with government-sponsored milk powder. The CFTRI-approved SaiSure Millet micronutrient health mix aims to tackle vitamin and mineral deficiencies, particularly addressing anaemia prevalent in rural areas.
The launch took place on February 22, 2024, at the Banquet Hall in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. The program was inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister, Sri Siddaramaiah who was joined by the school children and the founder of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, Sadguru Dr. Sri Madhusudan Sai.
Also present were, Minister of Primary & Secondary Education and Sakala of Karnataka, Sri S. Madhu Bangarappa, MLA of Sira constituency & former Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs of Karnataka Sri T B Jayachandra, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister of Karnataka K H Muniyappa, Development Commissioner Smt. Shalini Rajneesh, Principal Secretary for Education Sri Ritesh Kumar and Education Commissioner – Smt. BB Kaveri.
In his address, the Honourable Chief Minister extensively discussed the imperative to tackle iron deficiency among children. He warmly welcomed the collaboration between the Annapoorna Trust and the government of Karnataka in implementing the nutrition program. He expressed optimism about the positive impact that the introduction of a millet-based health drink, as part of the initiative, would have on the overall physical and mental health of the children. He further pointed out that the children could focus on academics and grow healthy only when malnutrition-induced anaemic conditions are dealt with. This acknowledgment underscores the significance of addressing specific nutrient deficiencies and the commitment to promote the well-being of school children through innovative nutritional solutions. He highlighted the fact that education leads to self-esteem and leads to gaining knowledge, which should be used not only to read and write but also to work towards the welfare of the society.
Addressing the gathering, Sadguru Dr. Sri Madhusudan Sai emphasized the importance of addressing multi-nutrient deficiency and highlighted the collaboration with the government and various CSR partners. Drawing parallels to schemes like Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya, he expressed joy at the launch of SaiSure Bhagya. The program, initiated in 2012 with 50 children in Karnataka, has now expanded to serve 90 lakh children in over 1 lakh government schools across 25 states and 4 Union Territories, reaching a significant milestone. Mentioning that the Chief Minister had started the Ksheera Bhagya Scheme when he was the CM in 2013, he appreciated and valued the Chief Minister’s efforts and his wish to uplift the children from rural hinterlands through quality nutrition, education, and health. Stating that Nutrition plays a significant role in growing children, he called on all to take this mission forward, thereby aiding in nation-building.
The Honourable Education Minister Sri Madhu Bangarappa extended his heartfelt gratitude to Sadguru Dr Madhusudan Sai and the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust for their collaborative efforts with the government. He appreciated the partnership in implementing the nutrition program. The Minister emphasized that SaiSure, the multi-nutrient health mix, would be provided to all children, to be mixed with 150 ml of milk. This proactive approach underscores the commitment of the education sector to ensure the holistic well-being of school children by integrating essential nutrients into their daily diet, further enhancing the impact of the initiative.
Mr. Anand Kumar Kadali – Trustee and Secretary of Annapoorna Trust spoke about how some of the corporate employees started this program as ‘Narayana seva’ (feeding the poor) for 50 children in Kengeri (outskirts of Bangalore) in the year 2012. He said they had the forethought to reach out to all the children in the entire state of Karnataka from then. He expressed his gratitude to the Honourable Minister Sri Madhu Bangarappa for actively supporting and taking a keen interest in this noble initiative. He said the discussions with the minister and the education department officials were going on for the last three months. After the necessary planning, required permissions, and scientific validations, he stated that today will be a day to remember since every school-going child will now be fed with proper nutrition every morning. Reiterating that Annapoorna Trust always believed in coming together of Sarkara, Samaja, and Sanstha, he said this nutrition intervention could happen only because of the collective efforts of our Education minister, Education Commissioner Smt. B. B. Kaveri, State Project Director, Samagra Shikshana Karnataka, and Mr. Ritesh Kumar Singh – I.A.S. Principal Secretary to Government, Department of School Education and Literacy.
An online video interactive session was also held with the children who had assembled in Vidhana Soudha. Live feed from the respective schools of all districts was arranged online. They interacted regarding the Nutrition Intervention with our Education Minister and the Trustees of Annapoorna Trust. They were excited and happy to know they would receive Nutrition for 3 days a week, going forward. They expressed gratitude for the efforts of the Government in providing mid-day meals, eggs, chikkis, school uniforms, etc.
The program celebrates a significant milestone, expanding its reach to 90 lakh children in 1 lakh government schools across 25 states and 4 Union Territories.
