I think that you already know the answer - there are no mysteries here.

A nutritionally balanced lunch is certainly useful but for for growing children, just one quality meal is not enough.

As for your background story about India, just because they keep the line as to what defines poverty and the ability to procure the minimum calories to remain healthy at a unrealistically low level, it doesn't mean that poverty is almost non-existent.

Challenges are many. Program implementetion in effective way is the greatest challenge.  Improvement of water n sanitation is another challenge.  Promotion of health n hygiene are other challenges. Community awareness is also important. So in real field situation it is not a easy job but not impossible. 

Role of health linkers like ANM, ASHA and AWW is very important...they should health educate the mothers regarding the nutritious food and role anganwadi center also very important...as they are providing good nutrition food...and they are giving health mix powder but many mothers not taking that from them and not giving to their child...it is indicating anything at free of cost does not have value. So health educating the mothers through link workers will solve the problem.

Thanks a lot to Bharathy for response. AWW, ASHA etc. are community-based health workers. They are not supposed to work at school level. Of-course school children can be taken care of in the community but our existing system does not permit that (limited to under-five children). 

 Yes sir i know that and i totally agreed your point..but daily this link workers are going to field and meeting the community..atleast if they provide some health education to mothers it may have little impact..eventhough poor people can't afford much...but what ever they are providing to their child they can give in proper way....in school meal govt providing only one time meal ...rest of time childrens are taking food in home only...

I agree with Prof Alam we have one good nutritive meal. the second meal can secured by the mothers if we can financially support them by increasing their income . that can be done through cooperation micro project e.g. Poultry, farms , handcraft works etc. 

when you collect these mothers in one project , one place then it is easy to educate them and together  they can accept any new Idea

 SAIF 

Securing another nutritious meal at home in addition to meal at school would definitely improve their nutritional status. But question is how (considering existing socio-political system in India)? Additionally we need to address other challenges too.

"But question is how (considering existing socio-political system in India)?"

Perhaps a program in which parent(s) see a compelling reason to participate themselves:

• An evening program for parent(s) where they can be taught a useful set of skill  to make a little extra money
• Parent(s) are required to bring their child or children at risk for malnutrition with them to benefit from this program
• Not only the child or children but parent(s) are also fed a nutritious meal
• As parent(s) ability to earn a better living, they can be encouraged to share the cost of food until they are doing well enough and can support their family on their own.

The public school system in US runs similar type of programs. Children from poor families, depending on their parents income, are provided free or reduced lunches. In cases where the situation is quite difficult and children may not receive a second meal, school also provides a second meal.

I am sure that in in impoverished areas and communities in India, you have quite a set of additional hurdles and challenges but I also know that there are always good and kind people who are willing to assists in whatever way they can, only if someone is willing to plan and coordinate.

Best wishes,

Dear Mr. Alam,

Thanks a lot for your response. Your suggestion is good but our problem is effective implementation of it. Many families are so poor that many of them remain almost starved or half fed throughout the week. India is understood to have plenty of resources but with disproportionate distribution among its residents. Govt. has many programmes to support those poor families but it does not reach to the needy because of highly corrupt political system. We need to consider some balanced mechanism of distribution of food to these  highly food insecure population either in school or in community or both, which must be acceptable & affordable to them. 

"India is understood to have plenty of resources but with disproportionate distribution among its residents."

Hardly news!

This is not unique to India, most countries have similar issue with distribution of wealth - it's just a matter of degree.

In fact, historically speaking, I do not think that it has ever been different. There were colonial rulers and the peons, kings and peasants.... now we have ultra rich business owners and the rest of the worker bees (if they are lucky to have a job).

But sufficiently motivated conscientious people always manage to find a way to improve the situation.

Corruption, social inequality, lack of awareness, poverty, lack of basic water & sanitation system etc. are very much prominent in many parts of rural India and in similar countries. In spite of that school meal programme is understood to be a relatively successful programme in reducing school drop out rate among students. Community awareness on Do s & Don't s & women empowerment are expected to be two positive steps towards this. Further in-depth studies are required to evaluate its impact.

the mid day meal does not do much for existing malnutrition. then one needs a case-by-case approach.

from the public health point of view - its best to focus on prevention through action on children under six and also adolescent girls.

Responding to Ms. Prasad's statement, I do not agree to the statement as Mid day Meal activitiy is going well in many schools with their limited resources. If it is stopped, many under-privileged children will be deprived of one meal, who just come to school for the sake of mid day meal. On holidays, they remain starved or partially fed.

I agree with Mr. Kamalish that  community awareness is required in addition to women empowerment and econo improvement can be a vital part of the solution in addition to studies and evaluation and re-evaluation  

I also wish to add that periodic assessment of nutritional status of all class students by some motivated & dedicated teacher is needed in every school. If they do it by physical anthropometry on admission/entry in each class, it would identify the vulnerable children in a class. Then provide them fortified food, iron, folic acid supplementation, promotion of hygiene etc. in addition to provision of regular school meal under the existing programme. Same students need to be assessed once again just before going to their next higher class at the end of academic year. This is to be done yearly continuously from class I to class IV - also known as Nutrition Surveillance. 

Above is required in addition to all other necessary measures such as community awareness & empowerment , promotion of sanitation, hygiene, safe drinking water etc.

to clarify - i have been a vocal supporter of the mid day meal programme - it is greatly required by children and families and a huge support to education. my point was with respect to its potential to manage on going malnutrition where more is required to be done than merely provide a mid day meal. the mid day meal must remain as a routine support to children's right to food in this country.

Ok. I got your point.  Thanks a lot for clarifying.  

What foods are receiving in school meal programme?

I give your solution for in three year, low the malnutrition in India.

Dear Mr. Jorge Luis Sarmiento,

Thank you for your response & query.

Ideally meal should include at least 300 Kcal energy & 12 Gram Protein. It is locally known as `Kichri' consisting of  rice & cereal (Bengal Gram) with locally grown fresh vegetables that is served daily when school remains open. Egg or Soyabean curry is given once or twice in a week. 

Rice & Pulse are mixed & cooked to provide `Kichri' at all schools during their working/studyng days

Daily lunch of Kichri alone, though certainly better than nothing,  does not seem like a recipe for nutritionally balanced food for growing children.

Dear Tausif Alam,

Please let us know what is better food that is culturally acceptable, affordable & available. We would be more than happy to know that and would attempt to initiate providing that food here.

fruits, veggies, eggs, milk, non veggies... these are all locally available, culturally acceptable and highly appreciated.

we know what constitutes good food. the issue is money. as you might know even the mid day meal has suffered from budgetary cuts in the 2015-16 budget and again 2016-17, considering inflation and increase in absolute numbers of beneficiaries. drastic cuts to the ICDS, cuts to education and health as well. adequate allocations for the social sector and children is something to keep fighting for.

Dear Madam,

Cost for providing above for so many children? Yeah, we all know above are good. But question is budget. Present budget is on an average of

Kamalesh,

I see your conundrum, Rs. 5/child/lunch seems very limited as to what you can introduce in terms of variety of items. 

Perhaps you should enlist help of others in your area who also wish to see quality of food and life for these children improve.

Approach local farmers and merchants for locally grown vegetables, especially at the end of the day that have not been sold - try if they will donate or at least sell for a nominal amount of money. They can be stored for the next day's lunch.

You may also have some success with more affluent members of your society willing to donate to the cause - I am aware of the tendencies among many Indians who seem to show little interest in Philanthropy - however, there are always some who behave differently. Even if you can find some who are interested only if their name is advertised prominently for their generosity, no need to ignore them - let them have their ego fattened as long as your children are getting fed.

You have to be creative to develop whatever approach it takes to help these children - they are being put at a great disadvantage through no fault of their own.

points figured out by Dr. Alam are quite applicable and can have a big share in solving the issue under discussion 

 We have an alike experience with hotels and big restaurants who are donating a considerable some of food  

Estimate Kamalesh Sarkar

Fifteen years ago I realized an Study in Ecuador for a Ginebra ONG. I adapted this for resolve your problem:

 1.- You neeed to give the 300% the RDA for obtein Grow and resolve the malnutrition.  2.-Before meal every student need to recive 1 teaspoon of complementary multivitamins and minerals as like as Dayamineral Abbott.  3.- The students with Anemia needs receive 2 sachets of Chispas (Made in India) one at 10 AM and the other in house at 4 PM, at this time these minerals have good absortión. And have Zn for improve the inmunity and the apetite.  4.- Eggs very boiled or cook (For a good protein absortion) 4 days a week or 3 days in class week. And soy bean three times in quantity the other days     5.- Wih the actual diet, only are maintence the same nutritional status , they are not grow. They need to make repositión of all nutrientns and maintence of every day in the diet.                                 6.-You Need to create the Social Respnsabilty of the local Fabrics of manufacturers, hotels and restaurants for help your poblation. 7.- Teach Nutrition at this students, especially the woman (Empowerment to They) In Ecuador The Univ of Pitstburg made a study about this and not was published because was give at the Ecuadorian Gov of many years ago.. 8.- The stunted not improve, but they will receive the meals, they have a low grow, and only the grandson and granddaugther of these stunted recovery the tall and good antropometria and nutritional status.This part of statistical (stunted) not improve. 

Thanks a lot to Dr. Jorge Luis Sarmiento for your valuable response & suggestion. We would try our level best to review your suggestion in the light of Indian scenario & consider providing as much as possible .

Food is a part for proper nutrition, we need to look into the hygiene  part and as well as mental care part also.  If you see most of the children come to school without breakfast , so we need to make the children aware about the importance of proper nutritionq. Planning of low cost seasonally available, traditionally acceptable diet should be made and shared with the students. Weekly supplementation of IFA can be promoted at schools.  School based nutrition counselling can give a good result. 

Dear Sarmistha,

Thank you very much for resppnse. i want your input on how to improve protein n energy content of mid day meal that is provided for students. can u work on it? alternatively soyabean, egg etc. can be given or not additionally ?