Demographic mobilization in Russia, the go-ahead of which was given by the president in his January message, continues. Now the State Duma is bringing the program of maternity capital to a universal toolbox for stimulating fertility. It will be substantially expanded. In particular, payments are relied on for the first-born, and for the second child, the size of the capital increases.
Then in the message these presidential initiatives sounded sensational. Another sensation is an important component of the vector for families and children: an initiative to provide hot meals to primary school students. The costs are enormous, but they are worth it, because the authorities in the country have made it clear that they intend to break the "demographic trap" that hinders the development of Russia. Moreover, he is going to not only take care of the birth rate, but also to lead the child: to create all the conditions for his full and healthy development.
An important point is to overcome stereotypes and blinkers of pragmatics, often short-sighted. It’s a sin to hide: over the years of timelessness, we have lost the habit of such a social format of communication between the state and society, therefore many initiatives are perceived with suspicion. The same president, Putin, admitted that initially his initiative on free meals did not find support. “Everyone was against it,” the president noted. Apparently, out of habit, they were calculating and horrified. But it turned out that in 2020 alone, 21 billion are needed for these purposes, and next year - in general, 42 billion rubles. It would seem that such a waste is completely irrational. Let the parents take care ... On the other hand, all children are equalized this way, regardless of the income level of their families. Is this good or bad? There was also a lot of criticism in this regard.
When the whole package of measures for demographic mobilization was set forth in the complex in the presidential message, the picture appeared completely different. And the vector swung from “everyone was against” to the prompt adoption by the State Duma of a law to ensure free hot meals for primary school students. It must be said that the lower house of parliament immediately acted as one of the president’s main collaborators in implementing social initiatives.
In conjunction, it turns out better, for that it is also mobilization, because the same Duma also had to overcome skepticism in this matter. The bill was introduced in September last year, in October it passed the first reading, then a pause. So it turns out that the presidential message gave the necessary acceleration.
It is understandable: the state, in line with the established national priority of “saving and multiplying the people”, is “building” a new generation that will sooner or later inherit the country. The generation is healthy. Forms a nation, and hence the future. Where are the political temporary workers? Aw. Something is not visible to them and not heard, because the matter is big before the country and the tasks are serious.
So the State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin regarding the new law said that “this is an important social initiative, the adoption of which will allow every elementary school student, regardless of whether he lives in the city or village, to have lunch at school for free. The bill aims to improve the health of our children. ”
You need to understand that this is not just about hot and free food, but the standard of “healthy eating” is being laid.
Now this concept has been legally registered by deputies. All dubious foods are blocked by loopholes in the child’s diet. Outside the children's table, foods with feed additives, growth stimulants, GMOs, pesticides, etc. should remain. By the way, the explanatory note to the document says that now in the structure of the revealed diseases among children digestive diseases take the first place (19.8%) .
Therefore, the consolidation of the concept of “healthy nutrition” is not formalism, but an important condition for the developed policy of state support for the family and the child. So the state forms a behavioral model in relation to baby food. Designates special attention as a territory. Here are the requirements for educational institutions, organizations that supply food, and a guideline for the family. There is tight control: at the state expense - it does not mean at all that a "budget", that is, a very, very modest option of nutrition will appear, on the contrary, a reference.
Now the children eat as God puts on a soul. Well, or parents - in a briefcase. Organized food in schools is almost a thing of the past. Some in the school cafeteria will have something to eat, others at breakfasts and dry meals brought from home, while others remain completely hungry. In the canteens themselves, there is also often a race for food conditions (the concept of “healthy eating” is necessary for this), and by no means healthy: burgers, hot dogs, shawarma ... Now, the law requires putting things in order.
The chaos of the nineties came up with a “demographic trap” these days. There will be no instant benefit from a package of measures to exit it, they are not counting on it. But rest assured, the effect of the implementation will be significant, because this is how history is done. This is how a generation is formed.
There is another important point in the context of the ongoing work on amendments to the country's Constitution. In the basic law, as you know, it is written that "the Russian Federation is a social state." Nobody plans to abandon this, moreover, it is on the social aspect, apparently, that special emphasis will be placed. And the very concept of “social” will become the main characterizing feature of Russian state policy and strategy.
A significant aspect is also to overcome the feeling of abandonment. That the state owes nothing to anyone. From this, people were formed with a reduced sense of duty. Including through social education and civilian feelings. Feeling the shoulder of the state since childhood, citizens will be ready to substitute their own. So a healthy society is going to be, in which children are our everything! How otherwise.
The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.