Imparting cultural values during a child’s formative years plays a vital role in their overall development. With this objective, Sri Vidyaranya International School in Bandlaguda Jagir, Hyderabad, has introduced a unique initiative titled ‘Mathru Hastha Bhojanam’ (Mother’s Hand-Fed Feast). Under the programme, mothers visit the school with home-cooked meals and personally feed their children. Seated together on the floor in a traditional setting, the mothers shared stories with their children while lovingly feeding them, creating an atmosphere that reinforced family bonds, Indian cultural values and the importance of shared meals.
The programme, held on June 20, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and emotional fervour. This unique initiative was designed to revive traditional family bonds and reacquaint children with the warmth of a mother’s affection, values that are increasingly fading in modern times.
In today’s fast-paced, mechanized lifestyle, children are increasingly veering away from home-cooked meals and are drawn toward fast food and junk food.
The primary objective of this event was to break this commercial food culture trend, which poses severe health risks. The school management conceived this special lunch programme not just to focus on academics, but to nurture healthy eating habits and deep-rooted family values among students.
The spiritual and emotional gathering saw enthusiastic participation from mothers, who prepared their children’s favourite traditional dishes with love and care at home and brought them to the school.
Sitting on the floor in a traditional arrangement, the mothers sat alongside their children, sharing stories and feeding them with their own hands. The entire school premises resembled a massive, close-knit joint family. Remembering their own childhood memories, several mothers became visibly emotional during the event.
The ‘Mathru Hastha Bhojanam’ programme touched everyone’s heart by introducing children to the nectar of a mother’s home-cooked food and affection.
The participating mothers expressed their gratitude to the school management for providing such a wonderful opportunity to spend peaceful time dining with their children amid their busy schedules.
School representatives noted that this day would remain a cherished, lifelong memory for both the students and their parents.
The event was inspired and guided by School Secretary N.V.K. Visweswara Rao, Treasurer Pasarthi Mallaiah, and members Venkataswamy and Raji Reddy. In-charge Principal Ramadevi, along with the teaching and non-teaching staff, successfully executed the event amid a festive atmosphere.
Aiming to Impart Value-Based Education: School Secretary
Speaking on the occasion, School Secretary N.V.K. Visweswara Rao emphasized that Sri Vidyaranya International School is deeply committed to providing value-based education. He stated that observing such traditions instils an appreciation for Indian cultural heritage and core values among children, adding that the school will continue to organize similar meaningful initiatives in the future.
An Effort to Teach Family Values: Principal
In-charge Principal Ramadevi stated that this initiative was taken up specifically to educate the current generation about the importance of family values. She revealed that hundreds of mothers responded overwhelmingly to the school’s call and turned up for the event. Ramadevi extended her heartfelt gratitude to every mother who participated and made the programme a grand success.
Sri Vidyaranya International School (SVIS) was established by Vidya Bharati, Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan (VB), one of India’s largest non-profit educational organisations.
