In a significant move to enhance the nutrition levels of children in schools, Assam has revised its midday meal menu under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme. The new menu incorporates 12 innovative and nutritious recipes that are designed to provide students with a balanced diet. This initiative is expected to not only improve children’s health but also make meals more appealing by offering greater variety.
Weekly Midday Meal Menu Tailored for Maximum Nutritional Benefits
The newly revised midday meal menu is carefully planned to ensure that children receive essential nutrients throughout the week. According to an official letter from the Executive Director of Samagra Shiksha Assam (SSA), District Mission Coordinators and Assistant District Nodal Officers of PM POSHAN have been instructed to implement the changes immediately.
Mondays, for instance, will now feature a millet-based recipe with dal and vegetables, including leafy greens. In cases where millet stocks are unavailable, rice, dal, and vegetables will be served as an alternative.
Innovative Recipes for Every Day of the Week
The midday meal menu offers a variety of recipes for different days of the week, ensuring students receive a balanced combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and essential vitamins. On Tuesdays, schools will serve various versions of khichdi, a nutritious dish made from rice, pulses, and vegetables. Wednesdays will bring rice, dal, and vegetables, paired with eggs for non-vegetarian children and soya-based alternatives for vegetarians.
Thursdays will feature rice, dal, and vegetable dishes like bilahi tok and sagwala dal, while Fridays will offer options like lemon-yellow rice with soya chap masala or jeera rice with faldhari kofta.
Focus on Regional and Local Cuisine
One notable aspect of the revised midday meal menu is its emphasis on local and regional ingredients, which not only provide essential nutrients but also make the meals culturally relatable to the students. On Saturdays, for example, schools are encouraged to serve local dishes such as vegetable fried rice or tehri alongside dal. This focus on regional food options ensures that students are served familiar meals that are rich in nutritional value.
Millets, often referred to as “super grains,” have been incorporated into the Monday meals. Rich in fiber, proteins, and essential micronutrients, millets are a healthier alternative to conventional grains like rice and wheat. Their inclusion in the weekly menu reflects the government’s broader goal of improving food security and nutrition, particularly in regions where malnutrition remains a challenge.
Immediate Implementation Across Schools
The letter from the Executive Director of SSA instructed schools to start following the revised menu with immediate effect. Schools have been asked to display the new weekly menu prominently on their premises to ensure transparency and awareness among students and parents.
To facilitate the transition, the letter also provides detailed instructions on how to prepare each of the 12 new recipes, including the ingredients required and the cooking methods to be followed.
The revision of the midday meal menu is expected to significantly improve the nutritional intake of schoolchildren across Assam. With a diverse range of dishes that include leafy vegetables, pulses, and high-protein foods like eggs and soya, the revised menu aligns with the state’s broader goal of combating malnutrition and promoting healthy eating habits among students.
According to experts, the inclusion of local ingredients and super grains like millet will not only make the meals more nutritionally balanced but also sustainable, as they are locally sourced and affordable.
Midday Meal Program Crucial for Child Development
The midday meal scheme is an essential part of the government’s efforts to tackle hunger and malnutrition among school-going children. By providing free meals to children, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring that students receive at least one nutritious meal a day.
With the introduction of the midday meal new menu, the program is expected to offer even greater benefits by enhancing the nutritional quality of the food served. This, in turn, can lead to improved cognitive and physical development in children, enabling them to perform better academically and participate actively in school activities.
To ensure that the revised menu is followed diligently, school authorities have been tasked with monitoring the implementation and reporting any challenges they face. The District Mission Coordinators and Assistant District Nodal Officers will also conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance and make necessary adjustments if needed.
Schools will be required to maintain records of the meals served each day, and feedback from students, teachers, and parents will be collected to assess the effectiveness of the new menu.
A Healthier Future for Assam’s Children
The revision of the midday meal menu, with its focus on local ingredients and diverse recipes, marks a significant step towards improving the health and well-being of schoolchildren in Assam. By offering nutritious meals that are not only balanced but also appealing, the state aims to ensure that children receive the nourishment they need to thrive both academically and physically. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on its effective implementation, but it offers the promise of a healthier future for Assam’s young learners.
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