Thursday 7 November 2013

Former Board Member of a NGO in Bangalore writes in Forbes

Nish Acharya, former Board Member of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a not for profit organisation in India, has written an article about the Foundation. This article has been featured in Forbes and was published on the Skoll World Forum- a forum that encourages discussion on global social issues. Currently, Nish Acharya is a Senior Fellow with North-eastern University and the Center for American Progress. Acharya’s revolves around the mid-day meal scheme success stories, its challenges, its importance and its support system.

Akshaya Patra started its initiative by providing mid-day meal in Karnataka in June 2000. Today the Foundation operates in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Every day it provides mid day meal to more than 10,000 Government schools thereby providing meals to 1.3 million children. The article talks about the unwavering support of the Central Government of India and respective State Governments. The Foundation functions in a Public-Private Partnership model. The support received from the government accounts for about 40% of the total funds, and the remaining is raised through Individual and Corporate donations.

This not-for-profit organisation in India maintains high level of financial transparency and shares the same with all its stakeholders. Akshaya Patra also maintains quality, nutritional value and hygiene while preparing the meals. These are common elements in all Akshaya Patra kitchens across all 20 locations and across both kitchen models- Centralised and Decentralised kitchen models. The Foundation works in an ever innovative mode to better its service and efficiency.

Acharya’s article also brings forth the charitable quality of the Indian society that involves both upper class and middle class families to donate for charity towards this not-for-profit organisation in India. Acharya has also mentioned about the challenges faced by the Foundation in terms of expansion. He has also duly mentioned that this not-for-profit organisation in India aims to feed 5 million children by 2020.

When you choose to donate for charity to this Foundation, you give wings to millions of hopes and aspirations. Support by your online donations ......

0 comments:

Post a Comment