Impact of mid-day meal scheme on nutrition and education: A study of Kanda and Kullu districts, Himachal Pradesh
- Bihar Journal of Public Administration
- 20(2), Jul-Dec, 2023: p.498-510
India after independence, embarked on the massive task of state engineered socioeconomic transformation through development planning to abolish poverty and provide a dignified life to its people; to realize the cherished ideal of “growth with social justice.” The fundamental relationship between nutritional status and the learning ability of children has been widely recognized by the nutritionists and social scientists. Midday Meal scheme is fundamental to governmental effort to address the twin problem of nutrition and education among children, particularly among the poor and vulnerable segments of Indian society. With this situation in mind the present paper attempts to explore the ground realities by study of 8 schools in Kangda and Kullu Districts of Himachal Pradesh. On the basis of empirical study, it was fouinds that nutritional needs are met by the scheme without discrimination but educational goals are least attained.