National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) will provide milk to over 3,800 school students in the State as part of “Giftmilk” programme under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.
The “Giftmilk” pilot project has been initiated by NDDP (National Dairy Development Board) Foundation for Nutrition (NFN).
The programme was formally launched at an event organised by Dimapur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd (DIMUL) held at government middle school, D Khel here on Tuesday in the presence of School Education officials– special secretary Kevileno Angami and principal director Shanavas C, school faculty members, elders of Kohima village, NHIDCL and NDDP officials and others.
The pilot project envisages providing milk to over 3,800 students from Kohima and Dimapur districts for the next 20 days. Four government schools each from both the districts have been selected for the purpose.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the event, NHIDCL Kohima regional office general manager M Khan said, depending on the response of the pilot project, public sector undertakings like Navaratna companies would come forward with sponsorships on a bigger scale.
He said there were companies interested in funding the project, however he added that this would depend on the on the successful implementation of the project.
Speaking at the launch, Kevileno Angami encouraged the students to adopt healthy lifestyle and avoid eating junk foods that would harms ones health. She also thanked the sponsors for coming forward to supplement diet needs as Nagas were more focused on food containing carbohydrates.
Pointing out that Mid Day Meal scheme was introduced to supplement the nutrition and ultimately improve enrolment, Kevileno however cited insufficient budgetary provision and expressed joy that NHIDCL and NDDP have come forward to supplement the diet of children. She also encouraged the students to be regular in school and part-take in the Giftmilk project and reminded them of the nutrients in milk, which would help them build strong immunity to fight any disease.
In his brief address, Shanavas thanked the sponsors for launching the project for children.
He told the students that as they had lost an academic year due to COVID-19, they should now stay healthy and compensate the loss by being regular to their classes.
Addressing the gathering, Khan remarked that despite being in infrastructure developmental sector, NHIDCL was also involved in CSR activities. He said under the Giftmilk pilot project, the company would sponsor students of eight schools for 20 days.
He exuded confidence that the small effort by NHIDCL would help bring smile in the faces of children and thanked department of school education for extending support in this regard.
NDDP senior manager Dr M Jayakrishna sought feedback so that the programme could be improved.
Post the launch, the organisers distributed milk to all the attendees, which included officials from the departments concerned, village elders, school faculties and others.
The programme was chaired by chief executive officer of DIMUL, Dr. Mhasizokho.