Launch of free morning nutrition - SaiSure Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient Health Drink to 55 lakh children in entire Karnataka
22nd Feb 2024
The Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust has launched a free morning nutrition program aimed at providing vital nourishment to government and government-aided school children across Karnataka. As part of the PM Poshan Abhiyan and Ksheera Bhagya schemes of the state government, this initiative is set to benefit 55,56,000 students. Given that 2023 has been declared the ‘International Year of Millets,’ the program will deliver SaiSure Millet (Ragi) Multi Nutrient health mix along with government-sponsored milk powder. This CFTRI-approved health mix is designed to tackle vitamin and mineral deficiencies, with a particular focus on addressing anemia, a common issue in rural areas.
The official launch took place on February 22, 2024, in the Banquet Hall at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. The event was graced by the Honourable Chief Minister, Sri Siddaramaiah, who inaugurated the program. He was accompanied by school children and the founder of Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust, Sadguru Dr. Sri Madhusudan Sai. Other notable attendees included Sri S. Madhu Bangarappa, Minister of Primary & Secondary Education and Sakala of Karnataka, Sri T B Jayachandra, MLA of Sira constituency and former Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs of Karnataka, K H Muniyappa, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs of Karnataka, Smt. Shalini Rajneesh, Development Commissioner, Sri Ritesh Kumar, Principal Secretary for Education, and Smt. BB Kaveri, Education Commissioner.
In his address, Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah underscored the urgent need to tackle iron deficiency among children. He welcomed the collaboration between the Annapoorna Trust and the Karnataka government, expressing optimism about the positive impact of the millet-based health drink on the physical and mental health of the children. He emphasized that addressing malnutrition-induced anemia is crucial for children to focus on their academics and grow healthily. The Chief Minister highlighted the broader significance of education, linking it to self-esteem and societal welfare, and commended the program for its innovative approach to nutritional solutions.
Sadguru Dr. Sri Madhusudan Sai, in his speech, stressed the importance of addressing multi-nutrient deficiencies and lauded the collaboration with the government and various CSR partners. He drew parallels to other successful schemes like Anna Bhagya and Ksheera Bhagya and expressed joy at the launch of SaiSure Bhagya. The program, which began in 2012 with 50 children in Karnataka, has now expanded to serve 90 lakh children in over 1 lakh government schools across 25 states and 4 Union Territories, marking a significant milestone. He acknowledged the Chief Minister’s earlier efforts in starting the Ksheera Bhagya Scheme in 2013 and expressed gratitude for the continuous support to uplift rural children through quality nutrition, education, and health.
The Honourable Education Minister Sri Madhu Bangarappa also extended his heartfelt gratitude to Sadguru Dr. Madhusudan Sai and the Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust for their collaborative efforts. He emphasized that the SaiSure multi-nutrient health mix would be provided to all children to be mixed with 150 ml of milk, underscoring the education sector’s commitment to holistic child well-being by integrating essential nutrients into their daily diet.
Mr. Anand Kumar Kadali, Trustee and Secretary of Annapoorna Trust, recounted the program’s humble beginnings as ‘Narayana seva’ (feeding the poor) for 50 children in Kengeri in 2012. He expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister Sri Madhu Bangarappa for his support and detailed the extensive discussions and planning over the past three months that led to the program’s fruition. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts from the government, society, and organizations in making this nutrition intervention possible.
An interactive online session with children assembled in Vidhana Soudha was also held, featuring live feeds from schools across districts. The children expressed excitement and gratitude for receiving nutrition thrice a week. This significant milestone expands the program’s reach to 90 lakh children in 1 lakh government schools across 25 states and 4 Union Territories, celebrating a major step forward in improving child welfare through nutrition.
