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Hunger’s End: Narendra Modi’s Food Mission
PMGKAY: India’s Kindness Kitchen, Cooking Up Care for All
PMGKAY: A Giant Hug from PM Modi
PMGKAY: A Feast of Kindness for Every Indian Family
- By Prof Jasim Mohammad
When the world was battling a big, scary monster Covid-19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped forward with a vision to protect his people, decided to do something special for its people. Just as a gardener tends to every plant, making sure they all flourish, PM Modi showed the world how leadership can be both strong and kind. With a heart as big as the ocean, he decided to weave a net of safety and care around every single person in need. Imagine him standing at the helm, guiding India with a steady hand and a compassionate heart, determined to ensure that not a single soul would be left to battle the storm of hunger alone.
Imagine a giant umbrella, strong enough to shelter over 80 crore people from a rain of hunger. This umbrella is called the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a magical initiative by the Indian government that was like a warm hug to those who needed it the most. This scheme was initially meant to be a temporary relief measure during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has been extended several times and is now expected to continue till 2028. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs 2 lakh crore annually in subsidies, making it the largest food security programme in the world.
Every month, the scheme gives out 5 kg of free food grains to those who find it hard to afford enough food in addition to the subsidized ration provided under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) to families covered under the Public Distribution System (PDS). It’s like a friend who brings extra snacks to share, making sure no one goes hungry during a picnic. This isn’t just any food; it’s extra help on top of what some people already get at lower prices. The government picks out families who really need this help, kind of like choosing teammates in a game, making sure the ones who need a boost get it first.
The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, kind of like the captain of a big ship, praised this big umbrella as a gift of kindness. It’s like the ship is sailing through stormy seas, and this umbrella is making sure everyone stays dry and safe. But, just like in any story, there are folks who worry. They think this big umbrella might be too expensive, or that people might get too used to staying under it, even when the sun comes back out. Some even worry that making such a big umbrella could be really hard or might not be the best for our planet.
But if we zoom out and look at the bigger picture, what we see is pretty amazing. This umbrella isn’t just about the food or the money; it’s about making sure everyone feels safe and cared for. It’s about not letting anyone feel left out because they don’t have enough to eat. Sure, there are challenges, but at the heart of it all is a simple, beautiful idea: everyone deserves to have enough food to eat.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) is like a fairy tale come to life. Imagine a vast garden where every flower, regardless of its colour or size, gets an equal share of sunlight and water. This initiative is the gardener, making sure that no flower wilts under the harsh sun of hardship.
Let’s imagine for a moment a kingdom where every festival, every celebration, isn’t shadowed by the specter of hunger. Where the poorest villager has the same sparkle in their eye as the wealthiest, because in the realm of basic needs, they are equals. This is the kingdom the PMGKAY envisions, a place where the warmth of generosity melts away the cold fear of scarcity.
And in this narrative of care and community, it’s important to remember the power of simple acts. Just as a single lamp can light up a dark room, the act of ensuring no one goes to bed hungry illuminates the collective soul of the nation. So, the magic doesn’t come from mythical creatures or enchanted objects, but from the power of empathy, from the belief that in a world of plenty, no one should have to know the pain of hunger. Helping each other, especially those who need it most, is what makes us strong. It’s about coming together, like a big family, making sure everyone has a place at the table. And while we work out the best way to hold up this big umbrella, let’s not forget the smiles it brings to faces, the hope it lights up in hearts, and the strength it builds in our community. After all, the true measure of how great we are is how we take care of each other, and with efforts like the PMGKAY, India is showing the world just how big its heart is.
(Author is Professor and the Chairman Centre for Narendra Modi Studies (CNMS), Bharat. Email : [email protected])
