Government and NGOs together can eliminate hunger
India has the
second-largest population in the world. For such a large population, many
issues and problems are bound to pop up. Thus, the Government works
continuously to eliminate the root cause of a problem.
The Indian food and grocery market is the sixth-largest,
and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected
growth.
Yet, there
are over 196 million undernourished people in India. This puts India in 94th
position on the Global Index Hunger 2020. To eliminate hunger, the Government
of India has made various provisions like the Public Distribution System, the
Antodaya Anna Rozgar Yojana, the Mid-Day Meal Programme, etc.
There are
over 3.2 million non-profit
organisations that are registered in India to provide solutions to problems
ranging from cleanliness, infrastructure, garbage disposal, waste management, hunger
in children, etc. To address the challenges of food insecurity in India, several
NGOs joined hands with the Government.
The onset of
the COVID-19 pandemic has taken away jobs, skyrocketed uncertainty of food and worsened
the nutritional levels among the already vulnerable populations of India. To
feed the needy people during the chaos brought by the Coronavirus, NGOs work in tandem to help food reach people
in every corner of India. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-governmental
organisation that works towards its core cause of feeding mid-day meals to
school children studying in Government and Government-aided schools spread
across 12 States and 2 Union Territories of India.
To support
the feeding of marginalised and low-income sections of India, Akshaya Patra
began its COVID-19 Relief Service. So far, with extensive support from the Government,
the NGO in India has served over
10-crore meals to needy people. As a part of its relief service, meals and
grocery kits are distributed to people hailing from challenging socio-economic
backgrounds. The Foundation has provided food relief to people like Indra,
Kokilaben, Shaheen, Narsamma, etc.
To read about their stories and how Akshaya Patra
supported them, click here.
To curb the
spread of the virus, schools were shut all over. There was a visible difference
in the physical development of school children since they were bereft of their
healthy source of meals.
To continue
its support towards school children, Akshaya Patra initiated the Happiness Kits
Programme. According to this programme, mid-day meal beneficiaries received a
Happiness Kit that will support their health, nutrition, hygiene and education
amid the ongoing crisis. Each box contains food supplies like glucose biscuits,
peanuts, jaggery, rice flour, spices, etc. along with hygiene products like a
toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and sanitary pack (for girls) and educational
supplies like activity workbook, notebook and stationeries. As of 4th
November 2020, 2.5 lakh Happiness Kits were distributed to school children.
You too can
support mid-day meal beneficiaries even when the schools are preparing to
reopen. Children do not have to be nutrition deficit. Your help to provide
Happiness Kits ensures their health even amid the crisis hour. Extend your
support to Akshaya Patra to eliminate hunger in people of the marginalised
communities.
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