Nara Lokesh Inaugurates Advanced Smart Kitchen in Kadapa

Fast Summary

• Minister for Education Nara Lokesh launched India’s advanced smart kitchen in Kadapa district under the Dokka seethamma Midday Meal Scheme on September 2.
• The facility serves nutritious meals to 1,787 students daily and includes five smart kitchens across Kadapa, Kamalapuram, and Jammalamadugu constituencies. These serve a total of 10,323 students from 136 schools through special vehicles.
• Mr. Lokesh announced plans to expand the initiative to 33 smart kitchens by December, providing meals to 1.24 lakh children across eleven mandals in Kadapa district.
• A model degree college at Pendlimarri developed using ₹12 crore government funds under RUSA was inaugurated alongside an administrative building constructed via PM-USHA scheme funding.
• At Yogi Vemana University (YVU), Mr. Lokesh laid the foundation stone for an auditorium costing ₹10.05 lakh and engaged in discussions with students about improving education standards statewide over the next four years to establish Andhra Pradesh as a leader in academics nationally.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The launch of advanced smart kitchens marks a critically important step toward enhancing student welfare through improved midday meal schemes-a crucial component for combating classroom hunger and boosting enrollment rates among schoolchildren in India’s underserved regions like Kadapa district. Equipping schools with such facilities can support healthier learning environments while aiding academic performance.

The expansion plan signals prioritization of systemic scalability within Andhra Pradesh’s educational infrastructure for broader reach among rural communities-an essential aspect amid challenges frequently enough faced due to resource gaps or logistical issues.

Additionally, investments made towards higher education projects like new colleges and university facilities indicate intent on fostering long-term skill development opportunities aligned with state-building goals championed by public participation.

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