JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER) recognizes the importance of ensuring that all students have access to nutritious and affordable meals, promoting both their academic success and overall well-being. Our institution is committed to addressing food insecurity among students through various initiatives, including:
At JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, our commitment to providing affordable, nutritious, and culturally diverse meals is evident through our campus dining facilities. Located within each hostel, these facilities aim to support students' well-being by offering balanced meals at subsidized rates. The dining facilities are designed to ensure accessibility for all students, regardless of their financial background, and the meal options are continuously evaluated to meet the dietary needs and preferences of our diverse student population.
The daily meal schedule at JSS AHER includes breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner, with an average cost per student of approximately INR 144.8 to INR 166.0 per day (based on monthly meal costs from June 2023 to May 2024). The menu reflects a rich variety, incorporating items from different Indian cuisines, and is crafted to provide both nutrition and flavour.
| Sl.no | Month | JSSMC Boys Hostel | JSSMC Girls Hostel | JSSCPM Boys Hostel | JSSCPM Girls Hosel | JSSCPO Girls Hostel | JSSCPO Boys Hostel | Total | Per Day / per student (i.e Bed Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, snacks with tea and dinner) in INR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun-23 | 133 | 95 | 99 | 293 | 171 | 163 | 954.0 | 159.0 |
| 2 | Jul-23 | 133 | 100 | 111 | 301 | 159 | 158 | 962.0 | 160.3 |
| 3 | Aug-23 | 146 | 104 | 104 | 303 | 151 | 158 | 966.0 | 161.0 |
| 4 | Sep-23 | 147 | 96 | 94 | 304 | 134 | 143 | 918.0 | 153.0 |
| 5 | Oct-23 | 106 | 93 | 99 | 303 | 129 | 139 | 869.0 | 144.8 |
| 6 | Nov-23 | 124 | 98 | 110 | 303 | 127 | 135 | 897.0 | 149.5 |
| 7 | Dec-23 | 141 | 102 | 103 | 304 | 149 | 152 | 951.0 | 158.5 |
| 8 | Jan-24 | 140 | 105 | 105 | 306 | 139 | 158 | 953.0 | 158.8 |
| 9 | Feb-24 | 147 | 105 | 105 | 312 | 149 | 145 | 963.0 | 160.5 |
| 10 | Mar-24 | 128 | 107 | 90 | 312 | 152 | 152 | 941.0 | 156.8 |
| 11 | Apr-24 | 149 | 105 | 106 | 292 | 173 | 161 | 986.0 | 164.3 |
| 12 | May-24 | 142 | 113 | 115 | 295 | 171 | 160 | 996.0 | 166.0 |
The dining program not only emphasizes affordability but also encourages healthy eating habits, ensuring students have access to balanced meals that support their academic performance and overall health.
At JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSS AHER), we recognize that access to nutritious meals is essential for students’ well-being and academic success. To support students facing financial hardship, we have implemented a robust Meal Support Program that provides meal subsidies, free meal provisions, and additional financial assistance.
Meal Subsidies and Free Meals for Needy Students Students who face financial challenges can apply confidentially through our Hostel Review Committee to receive meal assistance. Based on their financial needs, they may be eligible for subsidized meals or, in some cases, complimentary meals. This support is provided with full confidentiality to protect students’ dignity and ensure access without stigma. Eligible students receive meal coupons from the Hostel Review Committee, which they can use in campus dining facilities to access nutritious meals at no or reduced cost.
Meal Transfer for Day Scholars To ensure that resources are maximized, the Meal Support Program allows hostel students to transfer unused meals to day scholars who may need them. If hostel residents opt out of meals on specific dates, those meals can be made available to day scholars facing similar financial constraints, ensuring that no meal goes unused.
Financial Assistance for Students in the Lower Income Brackets Students within the lowest 20% income bracket are provided additional support, including financial aid for meal expenses. Furthermore, JSS AHER assists these students in accessing grants and scholarships from government bodies, private organizations, and NGOs. This proactive approach ensures that students are aware of and can benefit from various forms of financial support, further reducing their financial burdens.
List of Students received financial aid for the year 2023-24.
Institution-Wide Free Meal Programs On special occasions, JSS AHER provides free meals to all students, regardless of residency status. This institution-wide initiative not only supports students financially but also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity among all students and staff.
Our commitment to food security extends beyond students to include all faculty, non-teaching, and support staff. Support staff are provided with complimentary meals on all working days, which includes breakfast, lunch, evening tea/coffee, and snacks. This benefit acknowledges the dedication of our support team and ensures that all community members have access to nutritious meals.
In addition to specific assistance programs, JSS AHER offers high-quality, balanced meals at highly concessional rates in institutional hostels and canteens. These meals are provided at prices significantly lower than market rates—often three to four times less than off-campus options—making it feasible for students to access nutritious food without financial strain. Food quality is rigorously maintained, with menus designed to meet dietary needs and preferences while offering variety and balanced nutrition.
Through these initiatives, JSS AHER reaffirms its commitment to supporting the academic journey and overall well-being of students and staff alike by ensuring access to affordable, nutritious food in a supportive and inclusive environment.
To prevent hunger among our daily wage employees, The college provides healthy lunch at free of cost on a daily basis.
Glimpses of interventions taken for daily wage employees
Workshops and awareness programs are conducted to educate students on affordable nutrition, healthy eating practices, and resourceful meal planning, equipping them with skills to manage their dietary needs within budget constraints.
JSSAHER works closely with its parent organization JSS MVP in realizing zero hunger.
Under this scheme, the institution provides free mid-day meals to primary and high school children from rural areas. The scheme has been effectively implemented in more than 33 villages in Karnataka and over 12000 children are getting benefited. The food is supplied from a central kitchen belonging to JSSMVP and which ensure good and hygiene food. At present, the project covers the schools from Yelandur, a backward taluk in Chamarajanagar district, and schools from Mysuru district. JSSMVP is bearing the expenses over and above the grants provided by the government.
The programme aims at improving the attendance and retention rate of children enrolled in schools from rural areas. This initiative not only supports the educational objectives of the schools but also tries to bring in social equity in society.
JSS MVP Hostels and Orphanages.
H.H. Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji initially provided accommodation and food for a few poor students at his rented residence (Niranjanalaya) with the intention of supporting them and preventing them from discontinuing education.
Later, KSS Hostel was started in the building donated by SahukarSiddalingaiah. Thus, he started the dasoha of food and knowledge in the year 1930. That small initiative by him has today grown into a vast educational movement.
With the blessings and encouragement of His Holiness Jagadguru Manthra Maharshi Sri ShivarathreeshwaraMahaswamiji, a building on Vanivilasa Road was bought later and a free hostel was started. That was the grand beginning of the students’ hostels.
Several stalwarts have studied in the hostels that began in the 1940s. The list includes several Ministers of the union and state govts. / IAS / IPS officers / Vice Chancellors. Hostels were also started in Chamarajanagara (1945) and Mysuru (1948). The student hostels have grown in number and have provided boarding and lodging facility to thousands of students and supported their education.
The list of free Hostels and Orphanages:
Under the aegis of the Srimath, several orphanages, homes for destitute children and free hostels are being run in the following places.
“By serving humanity, you are serving God”– The Suttur Math has upheld this motto throughout these years and has always come forward to help thousands of people. Currently, when our country is facing a serious crisis due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Suttur Math is involved in helping people who are struggling for even basic needs. For many people, the biggest problem is hunger.
Today, food packets were distributed to more than a thousand people by Suttur Math in Mysuru and surrounding areas. Through these services, the Math is joining hands with the government to overcome this ongoing situation.
Programs aligning to SDG 2
Extending hospitality is the age-old tradition of Sutturu Math. The residential school at Sutturu provides free food to about 4,000 children. In Yalandur taluk, about 10,000 children are offered free meals. In 20 free boarding homes run under the aegis of the Math, meals are provided for the needy.
Dasoha Bhavana
A magnificent Bhavana has been constructed at Suttur Srikshetra to provide Prasada (food) to the devotees during their visit. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Dr Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister of India, the Bhavan is clean, spacious, and has a well-equipped kitchen with modern appliances.
Awareness program on Nutrition and Oral Health hygiene was conducted for school children on 12.06.2023 at JSS Balajagath School, Agrahara by the staff of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, JSS AHER and JSS Dental College and Hospital, SIG Dental Cariology, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry.
Children were educated about healthy eating habits and its impact on the overall oral health. General balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, milk and milk products, vegetables, fruits and fat were brought to the knowledge of the children.
The staff conveyed the large unmet burden to the number of dentists, few dental specialists for children to treat the large number of children in this region who have dental conditions like tooth decay and gum conditions. Hence it was necessary to prevent the dental condition and maintain good oral health by appropriate dietary habits practices.
Our students actively participate in NSS outreach activities, serving as volunteers during the Suttur Jathra Mahotsava. They help distribute food to the people living in and around Suttur, fostering a sense of community and service. Students also engage in awareness programs in tribal areas, educating communities about nutrition and food security, and helping to distribute food to those in need. By involving students in these activities, we promote social responsibility and community engagement, preparing them to be compassionate and proactive citizens.
Our program aims to ensure that no student at our institution goes hungry while also supporting local communities through various outreach activities. By providing affordable, high-quality meals and involving students in service initiatives, we strive to create a supportive and food-secure environment for all.
