Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar pitched for a nutrient rich diet and quality education for children during his school visits in Sri Lanka where he also teamed up with people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's worst economic crisis. Children are the future, if we support them today, they will make us proud tomorrow. Tendulkar was sorry to know that many households in Sri Lanka can't afford to give quality and the quantity of food required by children. Many children suffer from stunting Tendulkar, 50, was appointed UNICEF Ambassador for South Asia in 2013 to advocate good hygiene and sanitation across the region. When I played school matches, the tendency was if I was batting at lunchtime not to have anything to eat.
This preparation was something I unknowingly ignored. The cricketer later learned that not having a proper lunch impacted his view. I got out after lunch at an important match, and the first thing I wanted to do was to eat, calling it a big lesson in nutrition. Children require a nutrient-rich diet and quality education to reach their full potential. By investing in their education and nutrition, we are not only investing in their future but also every country's future, Pointing out that measures have been taken in India to tackle child malnutrition, Something unique has started in India, which is local therapeutic foods, ready to eat packages. Through his role as a UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador, Tendulkar has been committed to promoting child rights, protection, and development across the South Asian region. Children are the best teachers. They help us see wisdom in the simplest of things. In this school situated in a serene Sri Lankan village, we observed compassion towards all beings.
All children take a few portions of food from their plates and keep it on a common plate which is then served to birds. Such a beautiful thought on sharing, being grateful for our blessings and compassion. Something all of us can emulate, he visited the UNICEF programmes in the rural Sabaragamuwa province and met with children and parents impacted by the COVID-pandemic and the 2022 economic crisis. Tendulkar also visited a preschool supported by UNICEF's midday school meal programme and served children food. Every child should have the right to education. It is the foundation for every child, When you spend time with children, you learn a lot of things, recalling his days as a student and a cricketer. He also urged Sri Lankan children to play sports. Tendulkar recalled warm memories associated with Sri Lanka during his earlier visits, both as a cricketer and as part of his engagements with UNICEF.
