Japan aid to midday meal scheme

Japan has become part of midday meal programme in schools across seven states in India.

Officials in the embassy of Japan in India have handed over a cheque of Rs 30 lakh to Akshaya Patra foundation, the NGO that runs the scheme that covers 5,700 schools across the country.

The grant was made under grassroots project. "We are happy to support Akshaya Patra which is doing noble work for the welfare of the state and the people. Ours is a small gesture which we hope will prompt many others to do same," said Masahi Mizukami, official, embassy of Japan in India.