Instead of usual khichdi, kids will be served pulao, egg biryani, sweets, vegetables and fruits
Schools have been permitted to procure eggs from the local market at a cost not exceeding R5 each. Representation Pic/Sameer Markande
In an effort to boost the midday meal (MDM) scheme, the state government will now serve nutrition-packed meals to around two crore students studying in government-run schools across the state. Instead of the same old khichdi, the students will be served egg pulao, egg biryani, sweets, vegetables and fruits as part of their midday meal.
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This marks the first time that the school education department has incorporated eggs and bananas into the midday meal menu. The school education department on Tuesday evening issued a detailed government resolution on the enhanced MDM menu. The state government appointed a committee headed by celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar of the Vishnu ki Rasoi chain of restaurants to suggest improvements in the state’s midday meal menu to enhance the quality and nutritional value of students’ diets in March.
The ten-member committee formed to suggest a new menu for the midday meal served in government-run schools across Maharashtra submitted its report with a list of recommended food items and their recipes in September. Other members from the committee include nutritionist Archana Thombre; Kolhapur Hotel Owners Association President Ujjwal Nageshwar; Vaibhav Barekar, superintendent of Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana; Prasad Kulkarni from Agharkar Research Institute; and a representative from Maharashtra Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology.
After conducting a review of the committee’s suggestions and recommendations, the state education department decided to introduce eggs as a part of midday meals at least twice a week, either boiled or in the form of egg biryani or pulao. “To ensure that students across the state receive nutritious meals, the government has introduced eggs and bananas as part of the midday meal programme and has finalised a new menu for the same,” stated Deepak Kesarkar, minister of school education.
In a government resolution (GR) issued by the department on Tuesday evening, it was stated that the Central government has directed the states to explore the inclusion of locally available food items and cereals. In line with this guidance, the department permits schools to procure eggs from the local market at a cost not exceeding Rs 5 each.
“We have instructed schools to provide eggs in the form of biryani or pulao to students on Wednesdays or Fridays. Additionally, vegetarian students will receive bananas on those days. We are also in the process of planning to introduce sweet dishes as part of the daily midday meals,” Kesarkar explained. The department is also devising a plan to provide soy chunks to students to enhance their protein intake. Kesarkar further revealed that the government is considering engaging companies to produce flavoured soy milk, and if this initiative proves successful, it may be introduced in the next academic year.
No firecrackers, please
On Tuesday, Kesarkar said considering the high level of pollution the city is grappling with and in the backdrop of the high court’s directives, and to avoid air and noise pollution, this year’s Diwali should be celebrated pollution-free. “Under our pollution-free Diwali campaign 2023, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the department of environment and climate change will take an oath to celebrate a pollution-free Diwali on Wednesday, November 8 at noon. Not only this but we have asked all the schools to appeal to the students to avoid or reduce bursting crackers to help reduce pollution,” Kesarkar said.
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