No Biryani Served Yet In Kerala Anganwadis Despite Menu Change, Say Teachers
Kozhikode: In January 2025, three-year-old Trijal S Sundhar, affectionately called Shanku, captured the internet’s attention when a video showed him telling his mother, “I want biryani and chicken fry at the Anganwadi instead of upma,” while wearing a helmet.
The clip quickly spread across social media and reached Health and Women & Child Development Minister Veena George, who promised to consider his plea.
On June 3, 2025, during the Praveshanotsavam (Anganwadi reopening ceremony), Veena George announced a unified, nutritious menu for all 33,000 Anganwadis in Kerala for the first time.
The menu includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks such as egg biryani, pulao, dal payasam, soya dry curry, nutri laddus, and traditional Kerala items like kozhukkatta and elayada. The government says the plan will boost protein intake, reduce sugar and salt, and ensure balanced nutrition.
Also Read | After Toddler’s Viral Request, Kerala Adds Biryani To Anganwadi Menu
While the revised menu has received media attention for its variety, teachers say practical issues are preventing smooth implementation.
A teacher from Panniyankara Anganwadi in Kozhikode told Timeline that while biryani was served on the first day using rice from the ration shop, it hasn’t been cooked since due to funding shortages.
“We receive only ₹5 from each child, but with the high price of coconut, coconut oil, and vegetables, it’s not enough.” Many children here don’t even like biryani, so it goes to waste,” she said.
A teacher from Olavanna Anganwadi added that the Kerala government reimburses expenses only after three months. “We get some grains from the government, but for biryani, we have to buy the rest.
The government had announced training sessions for selected people in each district to cook the new menu, but teachers say the training hasn’t happened in their areas yet.
Also Read | UP School Expel 7 Year Old Muslim Student For Bringing Biriyani
Under the Smart Anganwadi Project, the state is also working on upgrading kitchens, dining areas, and play zones. However, with over 95% of Anganwadi workers being women, teachers say their honorarium remains too low to justify the extra work and expense required to make these meals daily.
Teachers agree the initiative could improve child nutrition, but they warn that without better funding and support, it risks becoming symbolic rather than practical. “The menu looks good on paper,” one teacher said, “but right now, it’s the teachers who are paying out of pocket.”
