An article on the operations of The Akshaya Patra Foundation in Hyderabad was published in a recent issue of 'Eenadu Daily'- a popular news paper in Hyderabad. This article gives a comprehensive picture of Akshaya Patra's vision, mission, mid-day meal programme, kitchen operations and organisational highlights. Akshaya Patra is working towards its vision of 'No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.' The Foundation aims at feeding 5 million children by 2020.
His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the inspiration behind the beginning of Akshaya Patra. One day in Mayapur, a village near Calcutta he saw a group of children fighting with street dogs over scraps of food. This heart breaking incident brought fore the determination that: No one within a ten mile radius of our center should go hungry.
Akshaya Patra began its initiative in 2000 by feeding 1500 children in five Government schools in Bangalore. Today, the Foundation has expanded its operations across 9 states of India. In Hyderabad, Akshaya Patra is providing mid-day meal to around 248 Government schools. The Foundation operates one Centralised Kitchen in Hyderabad. The kitchen process adopted ensures complete hygiene and cleanliness. The menu ensures providing a wholesome and nutritious meal to the children. The cooked mid-day meal is transported to different schools in custom-designed meal distribution vehicles. These vehicles keep the food hot and fresh till it is served to the children.
Apart from providing mid-day meal to children, Akshaya Patra also provides scholarship to children under the 'Akshaya Ananta Scholarship' Programme to support them for higher education. It also provides Life Skill Training to children and also makes them aware of the importance of health and nutrition. The Foundation also provides food for expecting and lactating mothers.
Apart from Government subsidies and aid in this programme many Corporate and Individual donors come forward to offer a helping hand to the Foundation. This has helped Akshaya Patra to scale up its reach. Infosys, Central Bank, Andhra Bank, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Godrej, HDFC, Jindal, Philips, PepsiCo, TCI, BHL, HPCL, BDL, Indian Oil Corporation, and Steel Authority are some of the donors who have extended its support to the Foundation.
Join Akshaya Patra and be the helping hand towards the cause. Your contribution will help Akshaya Patra to provide food to many more children in India and in turn you will be instrumental in countering hunger and illiteracy.
