About the Mid-May Meal Scheme:The Mid-May Meals scheme has a long history even before the independence of the country. It was first introduced in 1925 by the Madras Municipal Corporation for disadvantaged children in British India. By the year 1980, the scheme was first implemented by Tamil Nadu, then followed by the other South Indian states and thus got a universal face by then. In 1995, the government announced the National Program of Nutritional Support for Primary Education for enhancing the retention of the students in the schools, increasing daily attendance and providing healthy nutritious food support in the school premises. In 2004, the scheme was re-aligned with the daily nutritional and calories intake requirement for children. Features of the Scheme:It provides meals to children from classes I to classes VIII in government, government-aided schools, Madrasas, Maktabs, Centre-run Special Education Centers, etc. It is implemented as the Centrally Sponsored scheme where the cost is divided between the centre and states. The food grains are provided fully by the Centre to the states. The costs of cooking, transportation, payments to cooks and helpers, infrastructural development like the kitchens, etc, are shared between the states and the centre. The higher share is borne by the centre, though. The amount contributed by the states varies between the states. It was supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and now under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The state governments are entitled to support children living in drought-affected regions for their food requirements during the summer season, irrespective of their not attending schools. This scheme has also led to the shedding of some old beliefs and practices like untouchability where the meals are cooked by Dalit women. Also, it imparts the values of fraternity and brotherhood amongst students as all the students irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc, sit and eat together. Participation from women SHGs also has led to a critical role in expanding the scheme. Thus, this scheme has not only supported the mammoth task of providing nutritional support and security to disadvantaged children but also transform society in a better way. We, though come across incidents where families belonging to higher caste don't allow their children have food made by Dalit women even today. So, the work is not complete yet. Additional InformationRecently, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, the central government decided to give cash-in transfer to children enrolled under mid-may meal schemes at the rate of Rs. 100/day or a lump sum of Rs. 4000 per children. Other recently introduced norms under the scheme:?Community participation - All the states and UTs are required to increase the involvement of the community and other agencies like jails, temples, mosques. other charitable trusts, etcAttendance - All the states and UTs are required to maintain 100% daily attendance of all the schools and update the same on the web portals. Tithi Bhojan - States and UTs encourage the civil society and communities to celebrate important events like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals, etc. and supplement the scheme. Menu - All the states and UTs are required to design the menus of the meals in keeping the local items and seasonal food items in mind and have different menu every day. Some of the best initiatives by states:Andhra Pradesh:The additional cost of cooking for eggs and bananas provided by the states. Extension of the scheme to class IX and X students. Arunachal Pradesh:?Introduction of Kitchen Gardens in the school campuses.