The poor parents sent their children to schools at least to partake of the meal served to them.
This effort to improve literacy rate at the primary level was crowned with success. The Government has also introduced free supply of textbooks and footwear to poor children. First of all, it is a scheme which is bound to elicit popular support because a majority of our people are poor and with the increasing cost of living, more and more ways to get something for nothing. It is also a highly humanitarian. When the child’s stomach is empty, we cannot expect a poor mind to be receptive to ideas. It is a healthy solution to a crucial mortality in the long run. Many children in India suffer from malnutrition and deficiencies; a nutritious meals is their vital need.
Innumerable critical comments have been heard from various well-to-do sections of the society. Many felt that the scheme would make the government bankrupt and empty the coffers. Some felt it was unjust to take public money and spend it on a minority class. The scheme, whether it was a success or not millions of hungry mouths have been fed and the public funds are spent on a worthy cause. Other state Governments can emulate this scheme and bring out the significance of the scheme in today’s soaring cost of living.