President Pranab Mukherjee has said, India can reap the demographic dividend only if the country succeeds in educating and skilling the youth, especially the children. He was speaking at a function of 'Akshaya Patra Foundation' at the ISKONS temple in Bengaluru yesterday commemorating serving of two billion meals. <br/><br/>Mr Mukherjee said, by 2030, India will have the youngest population in the world. He said, over 50 per cent of the Indian population will be in the age group of 50 and 25 years. <br/><br/>The President complimented Akshaya Patra Foundation for having played an exemplary role, through its fresh and<br/>nutritious meals, for drawing millions of Indian children to their classrooms every day. He urged everyone to contribute in whatever way possible to the noble project of ending hunger among school children.<br/><br/>The President also said, even the biggest of challenges can be addressed through collective efforts of the community, NGOs and the government. He noted that hunger still remains a problem in the country despite some steps taken by philanthropists and businessmen. Noting that the government apparatus has its own limitations, the President said, social issues can only be solved with the involvement of people.<br/><br/>Mr Mukherjee said, legal right to compulsory education up to the age of 14 years is not adequate without creating conducive atmosphere for learning. <br/><br/>Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message also appreciated the Akshaya Patra Foundation for its mid-day meal programme. <br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, this midday meal programme reduced the drop out and increased the enrolment besides improving the nutritional level of children in the schools. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar and other dignitaries participated in the programme. <br/><br/>The foundation has so far served two billion hot meals to children in over 12,000 schools across the country with the cost coming to about 1,600 crore rupees of which 900 crore rupees has been borne by the central and state governments and the remaining by supporters of the programme.