For crores of children studying in school, mid-day meal is not just a meal but a major support of nutrition. For many children, it is also the most nutritious meal of the day. This is the reason why whenever any change in the mid-day meal menu is discussed, it becomes a topic of national debate. These days a similar controversy is being seen in West Bengal also. Discussion started in Kolkata regarding ISKCON's participation in the mid-day meal system, after which it was claimed on social media that eggs would be removed from the school menu. However, ISKCON has clarified that no final menu has been decided yet.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme, now called PM POSHAN, is a joint scheme of the Central and State Governments. The central government sets minimum standards related to nutrition. For example, children in primary classes should get a fixed amount of calories and protein. But to a large extent, the state governments decide which food will be given to children. For this reason, there is a big difference in the menu of different states. Somewhere children are given khichdi, somewhere pulses and rice, somewhere food items made from millet and in some states eggs are also given.
In India, eggs are considered a cheap and good protein source for children. For this reason many states have made it a part of the mid-day meal.
Among these states, only in Tamil Nadu eggs are given daily, but in other places it is given once or several days a week. In some places, children who do not eat eggs are also given the option of fruits. However, in many states of the country, the mid-day meal is kept completely vegetarian. Different reasons are given behind this. Somewhere there are cultural and religious beliefs, and somewhere there are challenges related to budget and supply. In Maharashtra too, there has been debate from time to time regarding eggs. Apart from this, egg is not included in the mid-day meal in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Of these, Lakshadweep includes egg, fish and chicken.
Egg provides protein, vitamins and other essential nutrients to children. On the other hand, some organizations and groups consider vegetarian options like soybean, paneer, kidney beans and pulses as better options. The recent controversy in West Bengal is also revolving around this debate. ISKCON says that if it provides food, there will be no deficiency in nutrition and cheese, kidney beans, soybean and pulses will be used for protein.
The menu of the Mid-Day Meal, now called PM POSHAN Yojana, is not the same across the country. The central government decides how many calories and how much protein children should get from food, but what will be served in the menu is decided by the state governments. State governments prepare weekly menus keeping in mind local cuisine, children's preferences, nutritional needs, budget and availability of food items. This is the reason why different types of food are available in schools of different states. At some places pulses, rice and khichdi are given, while at other places millet, fruits, milk or egg is also included.
