You can support their health and education by donating to Akshaya Patra. Your contribution will ensure that hot, tasty and safe meals reach 2 million students across India every day, incentivising them to be regular to school.

1. Why is nutrition crucial for children?

2. The early years of a child’s life
decide their physical, mental
and emotional health for the
rest of their lives.
Their nourishment in this
period will impact their pace
of learning, energy levels and
ability to contribute to society
in the years to come.
Thus, every child must receive
the nutrients they need to
develop to their full potential.
Importance of child nourishment

3. Impact of nutrition on children
Promotes growth and development: Protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals
help the vital organs to develop and the body to function correctly.
Builds a strong immune system: A balanced intake of fruits, vegetables and whole
grains strengthens the immune system. Children are less likely to get sick and if they do,
they recover more quickly.
Helps maintain a healthy weight: Childhood obesity is a growing concern. It can lead
to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, asthma, weak joints and
sleep apnea later in life. It can also negatively impact a child's self-esteem and
emotional well-being.

4. Improves cognitive function: Essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins
and antioxidants support brain development and cognitive function; they help children
to learn, concentrate, retain information and think critically.
Sets healthy habits for life: Children exposed to healthy nutrition from a young age are
more likely to continue making healthy choices as they grow older.
This can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke and cancer,
improve their mood and decrease the risk of depression and anxiety.

5. Contribute to nourish government school children
Children from financially
sound families have access to
healthy meals every day. But
many children from
challenging socioeconomic
backgrounds cannot afford
even one meal a day.
The Akshaya Patra
Foundation, a 22-year-old
NGO, works with the various
governments in India to
nourish these children in
government schools with
mid-day meals (MDM) under
the Central Government’s PM
Poshan Abhiyaan (earlier
known as the MDM
programme).
You can support their health
and education by donating to
Akshaya Patra. Your
contribution will ensure that
hot, tasty and safe meals
reach 2 million students
across India every day,
incentivising them to be
regular to school.

6. Daily nourishment
& education are
necessary for children
to become responsible
citizens in the future!