Returning to school after a vacation is like starting anew. It’s a chance for students to set new goals, make new friends and embrace new challenges. The structure and routine of school provide a sense of stability that can be particularly beneficial after the unstructured days of vacation.

For many children, the mid-day meal is a highlight of their school day, but it’s also a reminder of the support and care they receive from their school community. As they sit down to enjoy their lunch, they are not just filling their stomachs; they are also nourishing their minds and spirits.

While the thought of reuniting with friends and diving into new lessons is thrilling, there’s another aspect that many children look forward to—the mid-day meal.

In many schools, the mid-day meal is more than just a break from the classroom; it’s a cherished part of the school day. These meals provide more than nourishment; they create a sense of community and routine. For some students, the school lunch is a significant source of nutrition, ensuring they receive the essential vitamins and minerals needed for their growth and development. The anticipation of a warm, wholesome meal can make the return to school even more enticing.

Importance of education

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of children. It’s not just about learning to read, write and solve math problems. Education opens up a world of opportunities, fosters critical thinking and cultivates a love for lifelong learning. It provides children with the tools they need to navigate the world, make informed decisions and contribute positively to society.

How schools affect child development

The benefits of education extend far beyond the classroom. Here are some of the profound effects that learning has on children:

1. Cognitive development
   Regular schooling stimulates intellectual growth. Exposure to various subjects and disciplines helps in the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
2. Social skills
   School is a social environment where children learn to interact with peers and adults. This interaction is crucial for developing communication skills, empathy and teamwork.
3. Emotional growth
   Education helps children understand and manage their emotions. Through structured activities and social interactions, they learn resilience, patience and the importance of emotional intelligence.
4. Creativity and imagination
   Schools provide numerous opportunities for children to engage in creative activities, whether through art, music or storytelling. These activities foster creativity and encourage imaginative thinking.
5. Physical health
   Many schools incorporate physical education into their curriculum, promoting a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining physical health and well-being.

How does Akshaya Patra help children?

Holiday season is a time when children’s schedule (generally fixed by their parents) goes for a toss. Back to school means back to routine, back to learning and back to nutritious mid-day meals.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation provides meals to children coming from challenging backgrounds, which incentivise them to come back to school and be regular in attending everyday. By providing children with school lunch, we help in:

• Improving nutritional levels of children
• Increasing attention span and memory
• Improving attendance rates
• Reducing school dropout rates
• Improving socialisation among children

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As children head back to school, the joy of mid-day meals combined with the excitement of learning makes for a powerful combination. Education is the key to unlocking a brighter future and your contribution is a significant part of this journey. Let’s celebrate the return to school, the laughter during lunch breaks, curiosity in classrooms and endless possibilities that education brings. Here’s to a wonderful school year ahead for millions of children across the country!

Akshaya Tritiya has significant cultural and religious importance for both Hindus and Jains. For many people across India, Akshaya Tritiya is a day of good fortune and prosperity. This festival is considered auspicious for starting new projects like new job, new house, new vehicle, new venture, etc., making investments, buying gold and conducting other religious ceremonies.

The Essence of Akshaya Tritiya

In the spirit of Akshaya Tritiya, a day symbolising eternal prosperity and abundance, we are reminded of doing good. Performing good deeds on this day is believed to bring good luck and prosperity that can last for the whole year. As an NGO committed to providing mid-day meals to underprivileged children, we recognise the transformative power of giving nutritious food, not just as sustenance but as a symbol of hope and opportunity.

Celebrations Across India

While the essence of Akshaya Tritiya remains the same, its celebration varies across different regions of India.

Uttar Pradesh

A common belief prevails in Vrindavan that this day is the first day of creation. Only on this day, the feet of Lord Krishna (Banke Bihari) is seen in Banke Bihari temple. Many people across the world travel to Uttar Pradesh to seek blessings for a whole year of abundance.

Odisha

Akshaya Tritiya marks the beginning of the construction of ‘rath’ (chariot) for the Rath Yatra. As a part of the festivities, farmers offer seeds to Goddess Lakshmi and start sowing seeds in their fields, praying for a rich harvest season. Also, in the western part of this state, as a belief, people avoid eating green leafy vegetables as it brings bad luck.

Maharashtra

Women in Maharashtra gather and invoke Goddess Gowri as she is a symbol of marital bliss. They exchange haldi and kumkum and pray for the well-being and long life of their husbands.

West Bengal

To bring luck and prosperity in their lives, businessmen and traders perform religious functions and poojas to worship Goddess Lakshmi at their homes and offices. They also buy gold with a belief that it will bring good luck for the whole year.

Rituals associated with Akshaya Tritiya

• Devotees of Lord Vishnu observe a fast and engage in charitable activities such as distributing food, clothing and oil
• Tulsi (holy basil), is incorporated into various dishes offered to the deity, which are later distributed as prasad.
• Businessmen perform a special puja called Halkhata to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi before initiating the new financial year, as they are believed to be associated with prosperity.
• As the day symbolises prosperity and abundance, majority of the population purchase gold and silver jewellery for good fortune.
• People take a dip in the sacred waters of Ganga (Ganges), drawing devotees to the ghats of Haridwar and Varanasi.
• In Jainism, some people conclude their year-long penance or tapasya by breaking their fast with sugarcane juice.
• Devotees apply sandalwood paste to the idol of Lord Krishna, believing it grants entry to heaven.

Inherit good deeds on Akshaya Tritiya by doing Anna Daan in the form of mid-day meals (MDM). As an NGO in India that implements the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly called the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme), we feed 2.2 million children with hot and nutritious meals in 72 locations across the country.

As we celebrate this Akshaya Tritiya, let us support children coming from challenging socio-economic backgrounds. Imbibe the spirit of generosity by nourishing underprivileged children. Serve MDMs with your online donations.

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