PM Modi serves 3rd billionth meal to underprivileged children at Vrindavan

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : PM Narendra Modi visited Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh on February 11, 2019. He   unveiled the plaque to mark the serving of 3rd billionth meal by Akshaya Patra Foundation at Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir. The PM served the 3rd billionth meal to underprivileged children from schools. He also paid floral tributes at the Vigraha of Srila Prabhupada, the Acharya of ISKCON.

Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik, CM of UP Yogi Adityanath, Chairman of Akshaya Patra Foundation Swami Madhu Pandit Dasa and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi lauded the efforts of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, and said the movement that started from serving 1,500 children today serves Mid Day Meal to 17 lakh children from schools across the country.  He was happy to note that the first meal was served during the reign of Atal Behari Vajpayee jee and he has got the opportunity to serve 3rd billionth meal. He said good nutrition and healthy childhood is the foundation of New India.

The PM said the 3 aspects of Health : Nutrition, Immunisation, and Cleanliness, have been given priority by his Government and National Nutrition Mission, Mission Indradhanush and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan are major initiatives. National Nutrition Mission was launched last year reflecting its commitment to provide proper nutrition to every mother and children. “If we succeed in delivering the nutrition coverage to every mother, every child, many lives will be saved,” he added.

Talking about Mission Indradhanush Programme, he said that 5 more vaccines have been added to the national programme and added that 3.4 crore children and 90 lakh pregnant women have been immunized so far. The PM lauded Mission Indradhanush for being selected as one of the 12 best practices globally by a leading Medical Journal.

About Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Sanitation, the PM he noted that an International Report has noted that usage of toilets can help save lives of 3 lakh people. The  Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is an initiative in this direction.

PM also highlighted other initiatives of the Government including Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Ujjawala Yojana, Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Under Ujjawala Yojana, he said, Government has provided 1 crore Free Gas connections in Uttar Pradesh alone.

Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog is being set up for conservation, protection and development of cows. Highlighting Government’s efforts to help those engaged in Animal Husbandry, he said credit of Rs 3 lakh under Kisan Credit Card has been extended to them. He said PM Kisan Yojana aimed at Farmer Welfare will benefits the Farmers of Uttar Pradesh the  most, as most of the farmers of this state have landholdings of less than 5 acres, according to a PIB release.