PM Modi urges use of technology to nourish children

Expressing concerns about child malnutrition in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended that the state government implement a technology-driven system akin to the Command and Control Centre (CCC) or the Vidya Samiksha Kendra in Gandhinagar. This, he suggested, would raise awareness and enhance nutritional levels among children.

During his visit to the Command and Control Centre for schools in Gandhinagar, which marked the commencement of his three-day visit to the state, Modi interacted live with school students, principals, cluster resource centre coordinators, and school management committee members from Banaskantha, Kutch, and Tapi districts. He highlighted the need for physical education, emphasizing its incorporation into the National Education Policy 2020, as he observed that the Vidya Samiksha Kendra lacked parameters for physical activity.

Modi engaged with a Class 7 student, Ashrufa Yunusbhai Mankanjiya, from Anupam Primary School, Kheroj, Danta taluka in Banaskantha, questioning her about playtime due to her lean physique. When she affirmed that she played, Modi expressed skepticism, stating, “It does not look like… You do not play and do not eat.”

In an effort to address the issue of malnutrition, Modi suggested leveraging technology to educate people about the right amount of calories required. He proposed creating charts for students, demonstrating the calorie content of various foods and encouraging students to track their daily calorie intake.

While urging coordinators and principals to utilize technology for this purpose, Modi also cautioned against excessive reliance on technology, emphasizing the importance of sports and physical education. He encouraged the integration of technology to motivate students while reminding them not to overlook the significance of traditional activities.

During his interaction with Narayanbhai Gohil, principal of a government primary school in Vanki, Kutch district, Modi underscored the importance of recognizing physical education as an integral part of the school curriculum, as outlined in the National Education Policy. He noted the absence of information on physical education in the existing charts, emphasizing the need to rectify this oversight.