Feed The Future Now

Personally, I cannot concentrate even for five minutes when I am hungry. And, even if I push myself, I will end up doing a half-baked job that will require me to ultimately rework on the same thing. Least had I realised, until recently, that each day millions of children undergo incessant hunger pangs while trying to concentrate in classrooms. It made me to think ‘can right to education be achieved if we do not take care of the basic necessity called food?’ Many research studies have indicated that food and education are inter-related factors. While it is true that without food children cannot concentrate well in classrooms and school activities, it is also a matter of concern that with food and no education, children will turn out to be dependent citizens of the country. Thus, it is important for food and education to go hand in hand. But, one should also be mindful of the fact that food here is indicative of nutrition-rich diet. Only a balanced nutritious meal will support prop

Until recently I wasn’t aware of what is termed as ‘hidden hunger’. I was introduced to this phenomenon while reading an article where Vivek Oberoi was quoted saying, “We, as a country has had so many achievements at the global platform but hidden hunger still remains an obstacle to sustaining education and achieving one’s full potential. ‘Feed the Future Now’ aims to combat this issue and I am glad to pledge support to its mission of nourishing the future of India so that kids get a holistic upbringing, just like we all did.” This led me to delve a little to know more about hidden hunger and its related campaign. Hidden hunger Hidden hunger refers to a form of deficiency that is caused by consuming food that may be filling the stomach but lack in essential vitamins, minerals, and other micro-nutrients necessary for healthy growth and development. Often times people from socio-economically challenged backgrounds are dependent on and consume food such as rice, corn, or wheat flo

The progress of a society can be gauged by the way it takes care of its children. Simply because children will grow up to be the caretakers of the society in the near future. Heeding to this, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a mid-day meal NGO in India, initiated a campaign called ‘Feed The Future Now’ – a social movement based on the principle that ‘every child deserves a nutritious diet, a fulfilling education, and a bright future’. The Foundation is taking forward this campaign with steadfast support from GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Nestle, Reliance Fresh, Viacom18, Facebook, Big FM PVR Cinemas and The Lalit Group of Hotels. Each of the partner corporates has pledged their support in unison to build a better future for children. The ‘ Feed The Future Now ’ campaign aims to garner mass support by creating a common platform where any and every one can participate from the public sector, private sector, media and the civil society. The campaign intends to bring about a sustainable cha

As the Akshaya Patra Foundation marches forward in its endeavour to serve 5 billion meals by 2020, it has been able to ensure that over 1.6 million children across 12 states in the country are able to enjoy their right to education because they don’t need to worry about their mid-day meal, courtesy the Foundation's endeavour. Feeding the Future The Foundation, along with its coalition of partners – GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Nestle, Reliance Fresh, Viacom18, Facebook, Big FM PVR Cinemas and The Lalit Group of Hotels, have been working together to building a better future for children. It's a movement that is hoping to gather greater support from the public and private sectors, and the civil society so that it becomes a common mission for the Government, corporates, development sector partners and individuals. Thus, Feed The Future Now aims at creating a sustained momentum for a nourished India by feeding the children. Country's future is safe When the future ge

The movement of Feed The Future Now , that was launched across the country with the support of nine leading corporates in the country and the Government of India, has been taking baby steps towards its aim -- to serve 5 billion meals to children across India by 2020. The movement, launched on May 27 has its chief theme as 'Poshit Bharat, Shikshit Bharat'. It means that a nourished India will be an educated one. How can a child that is undernourished stay focused on his/her studies? For the child to grow into an intelligent person, he/she will require nutrients that are important for the neuronal cell (nerve cells that also make up the brain cells) growth and development are supplied in the necessary quantities, All nutrients are important for the neuronal cell growth and development; but some have greater impact during the late fetal and neonatal time periods. These include protein, iron, zinc, selenium, iodine, folate, vitamin A, choline, and polyunsaturated fatty acid

Food is important for healthy growth of mind and body. This helps in stopping hunger now. Elders have always been particular about their children eating vegetables. But, children prefer to avoid them, as much as they can. But, no matter what, children need a balanced diet to be healthy. Potato, tomato, beans, pumpkin, bottle gourd, carrot, beetroot, etc., should be eaten regularly for a healthy life. Or, you end up with ailments that can affect your mental and physical well-being. By using the different seasonal mixed vegetables like spinach, beans and such others during their respective seasons The Akshaya Patra Foundation ensures that children get a balanced diet all-year-round. Spinach : Green leafy vegetables like spinach contain antioxidants that combat free radicals. These are absolutely necessary for one to remain healthy and help avoid ailments and physical issues in future. Like spinach, tomatoes too contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals