Visakhapatnam, May 4 (TNT): The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) on Monday announced the extension of its Ragi Java (ragi malt) nutrition programme for schoolchildren in Andhra Pradesh for another three years, till April 2029.
The extension was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State Government and SSSCT in Vijayawada.
The MoU was exchanged between State Education Minister Nara Lokesh and SSSCT Managing Trustee RJ Rathnakar.
Speaking on the occasion, Lokesh appreciated the Trust’s continued efforts to improve child nutrition, stating that the initiative aligns with the broader vision of strengthening education through better health.
Rooted in the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba, the programme aims to support the physical well-being of students while enhancing their learning capacity.
Over the past three years, the initiative has benefited more than 30 lakh students across nearly 44,000 government schools in all districts of the state, officials said.
Under the programme, the Trust provides ragi flour and jaggery free of cost, enabling schools to prepare a nutritious daily health drink for students.
Ragi, a nutrient-rich millet high in calcium, iron and dietary fibre, combined with jaggery, offers an energy-rich supplement that supports growth and development among children.
Officials noted that the programme has led to improved student health, better attendance and enhanced classroom engagement across participating schools.
The extension of the initiative till 2029 reflects a continued commitment to child welfare and aligns with the government’s focus on holistic education.
SSSCT Administrative Coordinator SG Chalam, State President R. Lakshmana Rao, senior members of the Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh, and government officials were present on the occasion.
TNT KM
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