Karnataka - Udupi   

Midday meal scheme draws accolades

UDUPI, JAN. 10. The Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, D. Veerendra Heggade, on Friday praised the "Sri Krishna Prasad Chinnara Santharpane" midday meal scheme and said it was a model programme worthy of emulation.

He was speaking at a felicitation programme organised by Sri Krishna Prasad Chinnara Santharpane Shalegala Okoota to felicitate Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Palimar Math for launching the midday meal programme in the beginning of his Paryaya tenure two years ago. The programme is currently being implemented in 119 aided schools in the district.

Dr. Heggade said one of the objectives of achieving Independence was to provide equal opportunities to all people, including equal access to education.

Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji had started the Chinnara Santharpane scheme keeping in mind the fact that hungry students could never concentrate on studies. He also lauded the swamiji for starting the "Chinnara Shushrushe" programme, which provided for free medical check-up of students.

Presiding over the function, Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji, junior seer of Admar Math, said there had been no complaints about the Chinnara Santharpane programme. The programme would be continued during his two-year Paryaya period, which would commence from January 18, he said. His Guru, Vibudesha Tirtha Swamiji, had always stressed the importance of education, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner, S.R. Umashankar, said the Chinnara Santharpane scheme had inspired the State Government to evolve the Akshara Dasoha scheme to provide nutritious food to schoolchildren. Following the example set by the Sri Krishna Temple, 30 temples in the district had come forward to launch midday meal schemes in aided schools in their surrounding areas, he revealed.

He sought the assistance of Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji in getting an idol of the exponent of Dwaita philosophy, Acharya Madhwa, installed at Vadabhandeshwara Beach in Malpe and an idol of Lord Krishna at Bhadargad Island.

Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji said he was happy that the Chinnara Santharpane scheme was being implemented without any obstacles. The seer said he was glad that schoolteachers were implementing the programme without thinking of it as a burden. He attributed the smooth implementation of the programme and its success to the dedicated service of teachers.

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