cooks are preparing sambar, a staple south indian dish that's like a soupy vegetable curry with lentitils. this simple meal is also being used as an instrument of social chchange. the state government insists at least one cook in every kitchen must be from the so-called untouchable castes. [bell rings] [speaking foreign language] amos: in many states, lunch has become a one-stop shop for children's health. apart from the nutritional value of the cooked lunch, these kids also get vitamin a, iron, folic acid, and deworming tablets with their meals. amos: abilash is responsible for supervising the meal. amos: at l least one of f the children here e doesn't eveven t one home-cooked meal. he has to beg for his supper. amos: do you look forward to lunch each day? [translator speaking foreign n language] amos: well, i don't know what australilian kids would d make f this meal, but i i thought it ws delicious and it certainly beats the sandwiches that i took to school. but more importantly, while governments in the west and celebrity chefs like jamie oliver agonize over what to do about nutrition