A Move Worthy of Appreciation and Welcome

The announcement by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay that the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme will be extended to students studying in Classes VI to VIII in government and government-aided schools across Tamil Nadu from September 17, the birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar, deserves appreciation and welcome.

The Breakfast Scheme for schoolchildren was first introduced by the Dravidian Model government under then Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and has been functioning successfully in schools throughout Tamil Nadu. It is a scheme that greatly helps young students by addressing both hunger and the hunger for education. It has become a pioneering welfare initiative that other states and even foreign countries have looked to emulate.

It is particularly commendable that the government led by Joseph Vijay has chosen not to view this as merely a scheme introduced by a rival government, but has instead decided to expand and strengthen it.

Beginning on September 17, Thanthai Periyar’s Birthday

Until now, the Breakfast Scheme has been implemented up to Class V. Extending it up to Class VIII from September 17—the birthday of the rationalist icon Thanthai Periyar—is highly welcome, as many more students will benefit from it.

The scheme, launched in 2023 during the DMK government led by M.K. Stalin, currently benefits approximately 1.755 million students. It has helped prevent school dropouts, reduced distraction caused by hunger, and enabled students to focus on learning. It has brought renewed enthusiasm among young learners.

With the extension of the scheme, even more children—the young saplings of society—will have stronger opportunities to pursue education.

It is especially fitting that the date chosen for the expansion is September 17, the birth anniversary of Thanthai Periyar, who fought against Manusmriti-based discrimination that denied education to large sections of society and who led ideological struggles to make education accessible to all.