PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Sept 21: In furtherance to the vision of Tata Steel Foundation to create an equitable society, and abate malnutrition, a centralised kitchen under the mid-day meal scheme started functioning at Chaibasa in neighbouring West Singhbhum district.
The project is a joint effort of Tata Steel Foundation, Government of Jharkhand and Annamrita Foundation and dedicated to the young population of the district – the school going children of government education institutions.
Moreover, the centralised kitchen aims to serve mid-day meals to over 63,000 students, across 523 schools and eight blocks of the West Singhbhum district.
Sourav Roy, chief executive officer, Tata Steel Foundation said, “There are very few states across the nation that not only have a series of developmental needs but also immense potential to work towards a developmental solution. The kitchen can slowly help us formulate a model of development that can be replicated across the nation in areas reeling with similar development issues”.
Notably, the project takes its inspiration from its counterpart in East Singhbhum where the initiative has seen tremendous success and is presently serving meals to nearly 52,000 students across 428 schools, on a daily basis.
Sanjay Tikku, vice- chairman, Annamrita Foundation, said, “Resolving malnutrition as a social issue is a slow burn, however we believe in the outcome and impact of our program. We are committed to continually providing school children with the most nutritious meals possible.”
The Kitchen, with the schools it will cater, is marquee development initiative on the Jamshedpur-Kalinganagar corridor.
The overall cost for setting up the kitchen comes to around Rs 10 crore. While the land, to the tune of 1.8 acres has been provided by the state government , Tata Steel Foundation took charge charge of setting up the infrastructure. Annamitra will look into the day -to -day operations of the centralised kitchen.
