Daijiworld Media Network - Panjim

Panjim, Mar 18: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday inaugurated the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s (APF) first kitchen in Goa, emphasizing that hygienic mid-day meals would enhance students’ physical and mental well-being, ultimately improving the quality of education in the State.

Speaking at the Pilerne Industrial Estate, Sawant highlighted the State government's long-term partnership with APF to provide freshly cooked, nutritious meals to students. Initially, a trial run will serve students of stds 9 and 10 from Saligao, Calangute, and Siolim constituencies.

The APF kitchen, housed in the Multi-Purpose Cyclone Shelter at Pilerne, will cater to North Goa, while another facility in South Goa will soon be operational. The centrally located 15,000 sq ft kitchen, supported by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has the capacity to prepare and distribute 5,000 meals daily. For now, 2,500 students will benefit under the Government of India’s PM POSHAN Abhiyaan.

Sawant paid tribute to late CM Manohar Parrikar, recalling his efforts to bring Akshaya Patra to Goa nearly a decade ago. “On his punyatithi, I am heartened to see his vision for nutritious mid-day meals becoming a reality,” he said.

Dignitaries present at the event included Saligao MLA Kedar Naik, secretary (Education) Prasad Lolayekar, director of education Shailesh Zingade, North Goa collector Dr Sneha Gitte, and APF co-founder Chanchalapathi Dasa, among others.

The CM assured that the new initiative would not impact existing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) supplying mid-day meals. “SHGs will continue their services, but no new SHGs will be enrolled. It is now their responsibility to upgrade kitchen facilities and maintain quality,” he clarified.

The event concluded with a tour of the kitchen and a meal service, as officials lauded APF’s efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition nationwide.