Government launches Gift Milk Programme
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2021:
For the first time in North East India, the 'Gift milk' programme was launched today at Tamphasaha Girls Higher Secondary School.
The event is organised by Chairman of Manipur Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited Porompat under the sponsorship National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and is initiated by Foundation for Nutrition (NFN) of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Education Minister S Rajen and Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi graced the occasion as the chief guest and president respectively.
Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry H Chaoba along with officials of NHIDCL and NDDB also attended the programme.
Speaking as the chief guest, S Rajen said that the Prime Minister launched the 'Gift milk' programme on February 19, 2019 in Ranchi and Jharkhand.
However the programme is being launched in the State today which is also the first launch for the entire North East States.
He mentioned that under this programme 200 ml milk pouch packet will be given to around 1700 girls within 50 days in order to address the issue of malnutrition and to keep the students fit.
For the first phase, altogether seven schools will be covered, three schools from Imphal East and four schools from Imphal West, he added.
Rajen continued that students are the pillars for future generation and therefore the BJP Govt led by Narendra Modi is taking up various developmental programmes in the interest of the students.
Similarly the State Government is also trying to improve the education system in the State.
For the smooth implementation of National Education Policy, a task force has been formed and the Government is planning to convene a meeting at the City Convention Centre soon.
He also stated that after the completion of the first phase of the 'Gift milk' programme the Government will take up measures on a wide scale to cover the remaining students especially boys.
The Education Minister further maintained that the dropout rates from schools will increase until and unless Government schools are well developed and appealed to all the Government school teachers to motivate the students and to look into the regular activities of the students properly.
Agriculture Minister O Lukhoi said that to ensure that every child is well nourished, educated and enabled to become productive the 'Gift milk' programme is being launched and sought cooperation from all for the smooth functioning of the programme.
He also appealed to all the concerned to work collectively to make up for those months when schools were closed due to COVID-19 .