Vikas Solanki, studying in Standard VII at Pragati Vidyalay, comes from a village called Chhaparipura which is about 10 kms from Bhayli. He cycles all the way and doesn’t miss the classes even a single day.
Most of the villagers living in Vikas' neighbourhood belong to the Patel group. They consider themselves members of a superior community, which makes eating a free meal at school, below their dignity. Despite these unfavourable conditions, children like Vikas are encouraged by his parents to savour and enjoy the fresh nutritious meal provided by Akshaya Patra. Vikas says, "My dream is to become a Civil Engineer, work for construction projects and help my family."
His father works as daily-wages labourer for one of the building constructions nearby. Depending on daily wages makes it difficult for the family to meet their day-to-day expenses. Vikas's sisters too are beneficiaries of Akshaya Patra mid-day meal programme.
His teacher says, "A mid-day meal reduces the burden for parents to pack lunch for their kids. Most children are sent to school mainly because their lunch is taken care of. Their mothers cook only for dinner."
Vikas and his family set an example for the sole fact that when it comes to the health of their children, there can never be a compromise. For the sake of development of children who are the future of our country, societal and caste-based beliefs should be left behind.