KATRA, May 21, 2026 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday laid the foundation stone of The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s centralized mid-day meal kitchen facility in Katra, a major initiative aimed at strengthening nutrition support for school children in the region.
Once operational, the facility will provide nearly 5000 nutritious meals daily to school students, ensuring better access to balanced and healthy food for children.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Government and social organisations to empower the younger generation and ensure that no child is deprived of nutritious meals.
“Every child deserves access to healthy food and we must ensure that no child is left behind,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Highlighting the critical link between nutrition and education, Sinha stated that a hungry child cannot learn effectively and stressed that quality education is deeply connected to proper nourishment.
“Nutrition and education are not separate. Education stands on the foundation of good nutrition. When we provide nutritious meals in schools, we are not merely filling stomachs — we are shaping future thinking,” he remarked.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about the importance of building a strong future for coming generations, stating that society must reflect on what it is creating, preserving and passing on to children.
He observed that the health, confidence and education of children represent a collective responsibility of society and will shape the future of Jammu & Kashmir and the nation.
During the event, Sinha also highlighted Akshaya Patra’s future projects in the Union Territory, including an upcoming kitchen facility in Jammu.
He praised the selfless contribution of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, one of the world’s largest NGOs in the school meal sector, which currently serves over 20 lakh children across 16 states and 3 Union Territories.
The Lieutenant Governor also personally served meals to school students during the programme.
The ceremony was attended by National President and Trustee of Akshaya Patra Foundation Bharatarshabha Dasa, MLAs Baldev Raj Sharma and Kuldeep Raj Dubey, senior civil and police officials, representatives of the Foundation and a large number of students.
