INDIACSR News Network
Balconagr (Chhattisgarh): BALCO (Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd) established the first centralized kitchen of Chhattisgarh situated at Korba has been started the supply of Mid Day Meal to the students of targeted schools of the district from 15 July 2013. District administration handed over the responsibility of supplying Mid Day Meal (MDM) to the NGO REWARDS for the academic session 2013-14. The cooked hygienic food has been distributed through mini-vans to schools in the presence of senior journalists.
30,000 children of Korba shall get high-quality food – Dr. Ashraf Jamal, Project Director, REWARDS informed that approximately 11,000 children in 106 schools were received MDM today. According to the list of district administration, nearly 30,000 children in 272 schools will be getting lunch as per their presence. REWARDS workers collected extensive knowledge on food habits and tastes of students so that they can get a tasty meal, said Dr. Jamal. Food preparation and supply is being done as per Government norms. He also told that MDM menu has been sent to district administration for approval.
The health of children is paramount – Anil Agrawal, Chairman, Vedanta Group has always been encouraged such CSR initiatives that are helpful in promoting child health and education, said Mr. BK Sriwastwa, Head, Community Relations. “MAMTA”, “UNNAYAN” and “CENTRALISED KITCHEN” projects have been ensured the health and education facilities in the operational areas of BALCO. Replicating the same, one more kitchen is going to come up at Ambikapur, Surguja, said Mr. Sriwastwa. Approximately 40,000 children will cater through MDM kitchen.
REWARDS’
New Delhi-based NGO REWARDS was registered on 2004. The NGO initiated “Project EHSAS” in 2005 to supply food to malnourished children. Currently 150,000 children are being availed MDM in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The new kitchen being established at Ambikapur will be operated by REWARDS
Bird’s eye of Vedanta Centralized Kitchen Project
BALCO has been invested about Rs 1.50 crore for one time to establish the high-tech kitchen. This project is being operated under public – private partnership model since 2009 in the supervision of district administration. District Administration determines the grain supply to the implementing agency. Now cooking process has totally stopped in the schools. Children don’t expose to smoke arise during cooking process. Highly nutritious meal has been ensured to the children. The project is increasing the level of education among the targeted schools.
