Schools Reopen Today for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Students to Receive Mid-Day Meals

Under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative, primary and secondary schools in Uttar Pradesh were asked to open today for activities related to the Har Ghar Tiranga and Meri Maati, Mera Desh campaigns. This is the first Sunday when schools in UP are open based on the state administration's instructions.

As part of the initiative, students will also be provided with special midday meals, following government guidelines. The schedule for these projects in schools has been set by the Uttar Pradesh government. On August 13, poetry recitations will take place in all schools as per the schedule.

The Department of Basic Education Uttar Pradesh shared on the microblogging site X (formerly known as Twitter), "This Sunday will be special for children… Special mid-day meals will be arranged for children in schools on Sunday, August 13, 2023, as part of the 'Meri Mati Mera Desh' programs organized under the closing ceremony of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Yojana'."

SPECIAL MID-DAY MEALS FOR STUDENTS The state government has directed schools to organize special midday meal arrangements for all students on this public holiday. Vijay Kiran Anand, Director of the Mid-Day Meal Authority and General Director of School Education, issued an order to this effect. As per the directive sent to all basic education officers, activities related to the "Meri Mati Mera Desh" campaign are to be conducted from August 9 to August 15 in accordance with the rules, covering all gram panchayats, nagar panchayats, and local urban bodies, as part of the closing events of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav".

PM POSHAN SHATI NIRMAN SCHEME The National Programme for Mid-Day Meal in Schools has been renamed as the PM Poshan Shati Nirman Scheme. On August 11, Smriti Zubin Irani, the Minister of Women and Child Development, informed the Lok Sabha that Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of POSHAN Abhiyaan beneficiaries, accounting for approximately 2,11,05,303 students. This program aims to improve the nutritional health of children aged 0 to 6 and teenage girls.