Jean Dreze

At a government school in Paposa, Haryana, children devour kadhi and rice.

India’s school lunch program not only fights hunger — it can breed tolerance

Lifestyle & Belief

When India launched its massive school lunch program, the aim was to boost school enrollment and feed some of the country’s poorest children. But in some schools, it is having an added, and unexpected, benefit — reducing discrimination against those in lower castes. When India launched its massive school lunch program, the aim was to boost school enrollment and feed some of the country’s poorest children. But in some schools, it is having an added, and unexpected, benefit — reducing discrimination against those in lower castes.

Cooks Beddo and Bimla, make rotis (a wheat flat bread) at a government school in a village  called Bawani Khera, in south central Haryana. The menu for the day is roti and a vegetable dish.

Here’s why kids — and parents — in India love the country’s school lunch program

Lifestyle & Belief