Assam’s government is making strong efforts to improve education and nutrition for children across the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the success of the Mid-Day Meal scheme, which has helped many poor families by providing nutritious school lunches. Along with this, the state has introduced free uniforms and free admission schemes, creating a more positive and healthy environment for students.
One of the key developments is the focus on model schools in tea garden areas. These schools are attracting more parents, and student enrollment is steadily rising each year. To support these efforts, the government is building a new centralised community kitchen at Durrung Tea Estate in Rongapara, Sonitpur district. The large kitchen will cover over 1,700 square meters and include facilities like staff quarters, a training centre, a hall, and security blocks.
Himanta Sarma shared that this initiative is inspired by a visit to a famous temple in Bengaluru, where he saw an efficient food supply system. This inspired him to set up a similar centralised kitchen in Assam. The first of its kind, located at Amingaon, has been serving around 45,000 students with midday meals for the past 10-12 years. It also supplies food to hospital patients and attendants. Similar kitchens have been opened in Jorhat, Majuli (which will be ready by the end of this year), and are underway in Nalbari, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur.
The new kitchen in Rongapara will serve schools across Tezpur, Rongapara, and Barchala constituencies, benefiting about 25,000 children with clean and nutritious meals. The Assam government plans to spend Rs 25 crore on this project, with assistance from the Hare Krishna Movement, which will build a temple at the site.
Funding for these kitchens is shared—60% from the Assam government and 40% from the Akshaya Patra Foundation. The focus is especially on children in tea garden areas, who are set to gain the most from these nutritional programs.
Looking ahead, the government is also considering providing breakfast for students in tea garden areas, as many children leave early in the morning for work with their parents. Offering a breakfast will help children stay focused and study better, creating a more stable environment for their education.
This initiative reflects Assam’s commitment to improving both education and health for its young generation, making sure every child gets a nutritious start to their day.
