President of India Droupadi Murmu graced an event at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre today to commemorate the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s achievement of serving five billion meals.
Addressing the gathering, the President described the milestone as a remarkable contribution to advancing education and nutrition. She emphasised that the theme, “From a Well-Nourished and Well-Educated India to a Developed India”, reflects the nation’s resolve to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Murmu stressed that ensuring a safe and bright future for children is a shared responsibility of the government, teachers, parents, social organisations, and the corporate sector. She said every child must have access to nutritious food, quality education, good health, and a clean environment to enable holistic development.
Highlighting the importance of education, the President noted that schools equip children with the skills and experiences necessary to become responsible citizens. She praised Akshaya Patra Foundation for its 25 years of service in delivering mid-day meals, combating malnutrition, and encouraging children to pursue education.
Murmu pointed out that initiatives like PM POSHAN have boosted enrolment, attendance, and retention in schools, while improving learning outcomes. She expressed satisfaction that Akshaya Patra is furthering the objectives of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, which aims to ensure inclusive education for all children by 2030.
She concluded by stating that children are not just beneficiaries of free meal programs but architects of India’s future. Nutritious food and education, she said, are investments in human capital that will help build a strong workforce to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
