Nihal Singh Dhingra, a grade 9 student.

On June 22, 2020, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, publicized the launch of the “Indira Rasoi Yojana” (Indira Kitchen Scheme): a scheme which provides two nutritious meals to the needy every day. This was to ensure that “no one sleeps hungry” in the state. While the prices of the meals are yet to be decided, the State government plans on spending ₹100 crore on this scheme annually!

It was named in the remembrance of the famous political leader, Indira Gandhi, who was the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of India. While functioning, the scheme will keep in mind the requirements and needs of every district, while Information Technology will be used for the smooth functioning of the Yojana.

A similar scheme was launched in December 2016, by the former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, called the ‘Annapurna Rasoi Yojana”, offering breakfast for Rs 5 and lunch for Rs 8. The BJP government had said that the scheme was to benefit labourers, rickshaw pullers, students, working women, senior citizens, and others. As the tenure of the scheme launched by the BJP government expired, the INC launched the Indira Rasoi Yojana.

The Yojana is in line with the mid-day meal programme started in 1995, offering free meals to students in schools. Schemes like this have been of supreme importance in a developing country like India where the underprivileged have a difficult time managing even one proper meal.