On a private visit to India, Matthew took the opportunity to tour a social action project which provides food to millions of children in schools across the country. The Annamrita, or Midday Food Programme, is run by ISKRON Food Relief Programme in Mumbai which is a group that is aligned to the Bhaktivedanta Temple in Watford, where many of Matthew's constituents worship.
In a unique project between the Indian Government, ISKRON and private partners, the initiative feeds 65,000 school children in the Mumbai area five days a week for just 4.5 rupees per child per day. On an annual basis this costs just 900 rupees (£9) per year for each child. The scheme has been replicated in other locations across India including Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand and West Bengal and is producing dramatic results in skills improvement for the 21st century.
Matthew said: "I am very grateful for the invitation from Bhaktivedanta Manor to visit the programme in Mumbai to see what is being achieved. The project's success lies in the fact that it encourages families to ensure their children attend school for the midday meal and, in turn, the children receive an education. This not only means increased nutrition in the children's diet but also improves the literacy and numeracy of millions of children across the country.
In Mumbai the meals are produced in a 1200 sq foot unit by 20 people to Food Management Systems ISO 22000: 2005 standards (the same standards that are required by international airlines) and are delivered by a team of drivers for two sittings, one in the morning for the early classroom shift and the second in the afternoon for the next. Each container is security sealed and contains the exact portions for the number of children in the class.
"It is incredible what this social action project is achieving in feeding and educating over 1.2 million children in India each day. These children are the future for India and the project is assuring them of one. This is an initiative I intend to continue to be involved with and will be making my assistance available in the future to ensure such inspiring work can continue.”
Photo: Under the guidance of the programmes's Director Mr Radha Krishna Das, Matthew is pictured mixing spices into chickpeas as the food is cooked in an industrial pressure cooker at the Tardeo Road kitchen in Mumbai