The correct answer is (a) Child nutrition and school attendance.
The Midday Meal Scheme is a government-run program that provides free lunches to students in government and government-aided schools in India. The scheme was launched in 1985 with the objective of improving the nutritional status of children and increasing school attendance. The scheme has been successful in achieving both of these objectives.
A study by the National Institute of Nutrition found that the Midday Meal Scheme has led to a significant improvement in the nutritional status of children. The study found that children who received a midday meal were more likely to be of normal weight and height than children who did not receive a midday meal. The study also found that children who received a midday meal were less likely to be anemic.
The Midday Meal Scheme has also been successful in increasing school attendance. A study by the Ministry of Human Resource Development found that the scheme has led to a significant increase in school attendance, especially among girls. The study found that girls who received a midday meal were more likely to attend school than girls who did not receive a midday meal.
The Midday Meal Scheme is a successful program that has improved the nutritional status of children and increased school attendance. The scheme is a model for other countries that are looking to improve the nutritional status of their children and increase school attendance.
The other options are incorrect because they do not address the specific issues of child nutrition and school attendance. Option (b), farmer welfare, is not directly related to the Midday Meal Scheme. The scheme does not provide any direct benefits to farmers. Option (c), food security, is a broader issue that is not directly addressed by the Midday Meal Scheme. The scheme does not provide food security to all children in India. Option (d), infrastructure development, is also a broader issue that is not directly addressed by the Midday Meal Scheme. The scheme does not provide any direct benefits to infrastructure development.