Indian NGO- Akshaya Patra conferred with honorary award by LASSIB Society

 LASSIB Society is a Non Profit Organisation that focuses on ‘Nurturing Next Generation Governance Globally’. This Society recognises exemplary work done towards betterment of the society and the nation as a whole. Through LASSIB Society India Excellence Awards, it allows various organisations to participate and compete under different categories to bring forth their contribution towards the society.

In the recent LASSIB Society India Excellence Awards 2013 held on July 13, 2013 at the LASSIB Society 2013 CXO Confluence in Hyderabad, it conferred The Akshaya Patra Foundation with ‘Honorary Award on Social Responsibility’. It nominated Akshaya Patra in CSR category for the award. Akshaya Patra implements the mid day meal programme in 19 locations across 9 states of India. It works in a Public Private Partnership model and implements the programme under the aegis of Central Government and various State Governments. 

Currently, it is feeding 1.3 million needy children every day across India by reaching out to more than 9000 Government schools. On behalf of the Foundation, the award was received by Satya Gaura Dasa, Unit Head of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Hyderabad. He said, “We are humbled to be honoured by LASSIB. The award has shouldered on us bigger responsibility to continue powering innovations for social causes.” Praveen Kota, Executive President of LASSIB Society added, “The award recognises the efforts of Akshaya Patra team which has set an example to intellectuals across the country.”

Akshaya Patra has also been the recipient of prestigious awards like ICAI Gold Shield Award for financial transparency; LACP LeapVault Award, Summit International Awards and PRCI Award for the creative representation of its Annual report. Akshaya Patra’s effort has also been recognised at a global platform as it has been ranked 23rd among the Top 100 NGOs in the World by Global Journal. 

In addition to the 1.3 million children who receive a wholesome meal everyday as a part of the mid-day meal programme; there are many more who are yet to get the benefit of the programme. Indian NGO aims to feed 5 million such children by 2020. Support the Foundation and be an active participant in its mission. 

 Donate Online. Your donation will provide food to the needy children of India.
 

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NGO In India Beneficiary share her story from vadodara about Akshaya Patra Mid day Meal

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an NGO in India that feeds Government school children as a part of its Mid Day Meal Programme. It runs this programme under the guidance and support of the Government of India and the State Governments of various states. Currently, it operates in 19 locations covering 9 states. This initiative of the Foundation is able to feed 1.3 million children in more than 9000 Government schools every day. It aims to feed 5 million children by 2020 with the steering belief that “No child in shall be deprived of education because of hunger”.

The children Akshaya Patra feeds come from humble background and each child has a life story to share. Here is Sheetal Chawla, a student from Vadodara, Gujarat whose story defines her mental strength at a tender age. A student of Pragati Vidyalaya, Bhayli Sheetal’s creative bent of mind can be seen in her love to draw Mehendi and her love for dance. She is good in her academics too. A unique quality of Sheetal is that apart from these talents she also has the capability to hide her grief of an unforeseen incidence of which affected her academics too.

March 2011 was a life changing moment for Sheetal. At a young age she lost her father who was suffering from high BP and a mild heart attack and who struggled for two months before breathing his last. Even before she could come to terms with this irrecoverable loss, she realized that she has lost a whole academic year. This is so because her father passed away on the same day that she had to appear for her annual examination of Standard VII. For a child as young as 12 years of age, to handle such life changing moments appears to be difficult but Sheetal skillfully manages it to hide her grief behind her ever smiling face.

This led Sheetal’s mother- Bharati Behn to begin working to support the family of two children. She started working as a domestic help in a few houses. However difficult times have been for Sheetal and her family, it did not stop her and her brother from continuing their education. Though Bharati Behn is the only earning member she is managing to educate both her children. As Bharati Behn needs to set out for her work as early as 6 a.m., a glass of milk becomes the only breakfast option for Sheetal and her brother. Thus, Sheetal looks forward for the meal provided in school. She awaits for the freshly cooked meal provided by Akshaya Patra during 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sheetal is a student of one of Akshaya Patra beneficiary schools. Sheetal says, “Akshaya Patra Mid Day Meals are a boon to families like ours, where it is difficult to have such a nutritious hot meal every day”. She duly extends a special thanks to all the Behns (sisters) and ‘Bhais’ (brothers) of Akshaya Patra for their vital support every day.

Join the Akshaya Patra family and be a part of the lives of millions of such children. Your charity can change the lives of many Sheetal’s across the country.

Feed the children @ donation online today !!!!!

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Bangalore NGO Provides Mid Day Meals For School Children

The Mid Day Meal programme in general has shown many positive impacts since the time it has been implemented by the Government of India. Many NGOs have taken up the cause and is working at the grass root level to ensure that the benefits are reached till the lowest strata of the society. One such NGO is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. It is an Bangalore NGO that was started in June 2000. It implements the Mid Day Meal Programme under the aegis of Central and State Governments. The Foundation provides food to more than 9000 Government schools across 10 states of India. It operates in 24 locations and feeds 1.3 million children every day.

 There have been many evident positive impacts like increase in attendance and school enrolment, better concentration and improved academic performance, decrease in school drop-out rate. The significance of mid-day meal is beyond just filling hungry stomachs; rather it also ensures the children that their dreams are being supported through food and education. An evidence of the same lies in the scorecard of the recent Public Examination. Here is an anecdote of one of the Akshaya Patra beneficiary.

Smruthi D, a student of Anandashrama High School Kotekar, Mangalore who appeared for her Public Examination this year has scored a brilliant 92%. With this she has made her school and more importantly her mother proud. Smruthi wants to pursue her career as a doctor and not only that she has already begun charting out her plans for it. Her clarity on what she wants to achieve is witnessed when she says, “My neighbour is pursuing medicine, I will take guidance from her and work hard to reach my goal.” With the announcement of the exam results she has got one step closer to her dream.

Her mother says, “I got married at an early age and couldn’t continue my education, Smruthi will make my dreams come true.” Smruthi says, “I could have scored even better hadn’t I fallen sick during my mathematics exams.” Her mother adds, “We had almost given up hope. In spite of being so unwell, she wrote the exam and scored 87 marks. This is extremely satisfying.” Smruthi is a sports enthusiast and loves to play kho-kho and throw ball. Dancing is her next favourite. Smruthi is a beneficiary of Akshaya Patra’s Mid Day Meal in Bangalore. She loves the meal and says, “I like the curd-based menu the best. I eagerly wait for the lunch time.” Her mother rolls beedi to supplement the family income. She says, “I earn about Rs. 600 a week, and my husband is a driver. So my earnings help.” With a smile she says, “Just like how my earnings help my family, the mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra helps our children.”

Proud yet humbled at the success of its beneficiaries, Akshaya Patra aims to spread its wings to feed many more children in need. Support The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Your support matters.

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