Every school lunch leaves behind something; a few spoonfuls of rice, a bit of sabzi, maybe a half-eaten roti. In most places, this extra food is discarded, forgotten. But in West Bengal, it may soon become something far more meaningful: a daily act of compassion.

Under a new initiative proposed by the state government, leftovers from the midday meal scheme may soon find their way to the stray dogs waiting quietly outside school gates. It’s not just about feeding hungry animals, it’s about teaching children something vital: that kindness isn’t limited to the classroom.

What is the initiative?

The West Bengal government has announced an advisory under the Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission (PBSSM) encouraging all government-run and aided schools to feed leftover midday meal food to stray dogs outside school premises.

When and how often?

The feeding is proposed to happen once every afternoon, after students have finished eating.

Who will feed the dogs?

Members of self-help groups (SHGs) already working under the midday meal scheme — especially those in the Swayambhar program — are likely to handle the feeding, ideally under teacher supervision.

Health and safety measures

Schools are encouraged to coordinate with the District Animal Resource Development Department to

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