Akshaya Patra an expert group member - for 3rd State Human Development Report, 2014

Akshaya Patra an expert group member - for 3rd State Human Development Report, 2014

Akshaya Patra an expert group member - for 3rd State Human Development Report, 2014

A workshop was conducted on 29 March 2014 by the Karnataka State Planning Department in collaboration with UNDP - Planning Commission to bring the third State Human Development Report, 2014 under the project "Human Development:Towards Bridging Inequalities". A report will be tabled that covers various aspects of Human Development in the state, analysing key issues with focus on regional and social inequalities.

The workshop was inaugurated by Latha Krishna Rao, Additional Chief Secretary, Food and Supplies Department. Dignitaries such as Dr S. Madheswaran, Adviser; V. Manjula, Principal Secretary of  Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics Department and Ambika Prasad, UNDP Representative were also present.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation was invited to be an expert group member to participate on the discussion about Nutrition and Food, an intrinsic aspect of State Human Development Report. Akshaya Patra was given this opportunity due to its rich experience and expertise on the subject. As an implementing partner of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Karnataka since 2003, it has been contributing to alleviation of issues such as hunger among children. It is also keen on bringing more children to school by incentivising food, and thereby tackling issues such as illiteracy and child labour.

The Planning Department prepared a detailed note with the structure of chapters of various perspectives to be covered. The main objectives of the report are:

  • Assess the status of Human Development in the State

  • Identify trends and key indicators of Human Development

  • Outline crucial Human Development Issues with a focus on  Regional and Social Inequalities

  • Develop strategies to achieve Inclusive Growth

During the discussions, Akshaya Patra emphasised on the need for the scheme to be more effectively implemented in other regions of the state. It also stressed that nutrition is a vital aspect not just for physical growth but also for cognitive development. It further emphasised that nutrition supply during the developmental years of a child has considerable bearing on learning abilities and skill acquisition of the child. These parameters affect the employability quotient and standard of living in the future.

Akshaya Patra also recommended that the Dietary Guidelines published by National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad (a brief on Nutrition & Cognitive Development by NFSMI; NFHS-3, Nutrition In India) could be referred while compiling the report.  All such inputs were appreciated and documented.

Dr M S Tara, Regional Director (Bangalore), National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), presented the findings to the Panel and expressed points that have to be incorporated in the chapter for a full-fledged report on Health, Food and Nutrition. Few of the points were:

  • Inclusion of cognitive development as a larger concern for individual growth

  • Adding sectorial issues related to agriculture by mapping movement of food products from production to consumption

  • Increased focus on supply of food, horticulture, animal husbandry and gaps in consumption at a household level

Dr. A Ravindra, Former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka (GoK), summarised each session, considering the inputs and significant contributions on various chapters.

Akshaya Patra feels honoured to participate in the programme that had senior members such as S.V. Ranganath, Former Chief Secretary, GoK; G. Kumar Naik, Managing Director, Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited; Ramesh Zalki, Former Principal Secretary, GoK and Shankarlinge Gowda, Former Principal Secretary, GoK. It was an extensive knowledge sharing experience as the workshop focused on various factors related to Human Development – Human Development Index, Education, Demography, Urbanisation and Gender among others.

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