NDDB expands Giftmilk programme to combat child malnutrition

INDIA – Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), has inaugurated the NDDB Foundation for Nutrition’s flagship Giftmilk Programme at Pollachi in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

The initiative, funded by the CSR arm of NDDB’s wholly-owned subsidiary IIL, aims to address malnutrition among schoolchildren by providing 200 ml of flavoured milk fortified with Vitamin A and D daily to around 1,200 children.

The launch event was attended by Selvi A Catherine Saranya, Sub-Collector of Pollachi; Dr. K Anand Kumar, MD of IIL; and Shri R Kesavakumar, District Education Officer of Coimbatore. The NDDB Foundation for Nutrition will ensure a consistent milk supply for this program.

During the launch, Dr. Shah underscored the urgency of addressing child malnutrition, highlighting recent surveys showing alarming rates of stunted and underweight children under the age of five.

He emphasized NDDB’s continuous efforts since 2016 to promote school milk programs through the Giftmilk initiative, which has significantly benefited over 500 schools and reached more than 110,000 children across India.

The program has expanded to include four government schools and ten tribal government hostels in and around Pollachi, targeting the most vulnerable children.

Dr. Shah also noted the program’s success in reducing school absenteeism and improving child health, as evidenced by a study conducted by the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi.

He expressed gratitude to IIL and the local administration for their support in launching the program and stressed the importance of sustained efforts to ensure the well-being and health of future generations.

In her address, Selvi Saranya thanked Dr. Shah and Dr. Kumar for their contributions, explicitly mentioning the shortage of milk in government hostels, particularly in Valparai, and commended IIL for promptly addressing the issue.

She reflected on India’s transformation from milk scarcity to becoming the world’s leading milk producer, a revolution led by Dr. Verghese Kurien. She urged recognition of this legacy and hoped for the scheme to be expanded to more schools in Pollachi.

Dr. Kumar highlighted the significant impact of the Giftmilk programme, which currently provides 200 ml of fortified milk daily to 3,500 children in Laxmapur, Telangana, and Ooty, Tamil Nadu.

He emphasized the scheme’s role in meeting the nutritional needs of children in rural areas, thus enhancing their health and academic performance. Dr. Kumar proudly mentioned IIL’s substantial contribution to social causes, totaling approximately Rs. 20 crore over the past four years.