Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his record 16th State budget wherein he laid special emphasis on enhancing the nutrition quotient among children studying in schools. Helping the Karnataka government in this noble initiative is Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, a unit of Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission that helms India’s largest NGO-led morning nutrition programme for government school children. The Karnataka Chief Minister declared in his budget speech that ragi health powder, which is currently served with hot milk thrice a week, will be extended to cover all five school days of the week.
During his speech in the Vidhana Soudha, Siddaramaiah announced a budgetary allocation of Rs 100 crore to expand the ongoing initiative of serving ragi health powder with hot milk among school-going children. The Chief Minister declared that while 25% of the cost will be borne by the Karnataka government, Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust will take care of the remaining 75% by ensuring a seamless supply of SaiSure ragi powder mix across all schools.
Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai – Chairman and Founder, Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust said, “Karnataka has for long grappled with the menace of malnutrition, but the situation is improving rapidly across all parts of the State. Thanks to the schools, government authorities, corporate partners and all volunteers, we have been able to combat malnutrition and hidden hunger quite effectively. We are happy with the confidence expressed by the government in our Trust. We intend to ensure nutritional security for all till the last mile.”
Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust has already crossed the 1 billion serving landmark and continues to serve morning nutrition to at least 1 crore school-going children daily across all parts of India. The Trust aims to serve more than 2 crore children across India and 80 other countries by the end of 2025.