According to department officials, the new equipment will help prepare more nutritious food for children. To make this project a reality, the department will take the help of NGOs working with children.

The kitchen at the State Children’s Protection Home at Prag Narain Road has already been revamped as a part of this initiative. The kitchen not only has two new gas stoves instead of the earlier cylinder stove, but also has modern utensils. According to the home administration, a solar cooker will also be a part of the kitchenware.

Jaipal Verma, the superintendent of the home, said: “Providing hygienic food is one of our prime objectives. And with this new kitchen and equipment, we might be able to do so.” Verma said that by using a solar cooker and gas stoves instead of the regular stoves, the department could ensure better food to the children at a lower cost.

“We plan to have other solar equipment for our kitchen as well. This way, we will not only save fuel and electricity, but also cook nutritious food. Right now, we do not have a cook as our cook retired a week ago. But as soon as the new person arrives, he or she would be trained to prepare low cost nutritious food,” Verma added.

According to the department officials, all children homes across the state will have similar kitchens. “Some NGOs from Bangalore and New Delhi have already expressed their willingness to help us improve the conditions in these homes. Talks are on with them to provide us equipment and training,” said Y S Chauhan, Director of the department.