Volunteer for NGO in Odisha

The Akshaya Patra Foundation began serving mid-day meal in Odisha in 2006. Puri is the first location where Akshaya Patra began serving mid-day meal in Odisha. Gradually this NGO in Odisha felt the need of the mid-day meal programme in other parts of the state too. With the support of the Odisha State Government and generous donors, Akshaya Patra slowly expanded its operations to Nayagarh in 2007. Nayagarh is a remote location in Odisha and its terrain and connectivity did not support construction of large centralised kitchen like the one in Puri. Thus, this NGO in Odisha adopted the decentralised format of kitchen to prepare mid-day meals for the children of this location. In recent developments, Akshaya Patra further spread its service to Rourkela in 2013 and Cuttack in 2014. With the introduction of the latest kitchens this NGO in Odisha has three centralised kitchen and one decentralised kitchen to prepare and provide mid-day meal in Odisha.

As a NGO in Odisha, Akshaya Patra serves mid-day meal to 125, 242 children studying in 1,461 Government schools across four serving locations. This reach has been possible solely with the support of the Government, donors and determination of the Foundation. But, Akshaya Patra has more distance to cover and for that it requires constant support from the society. Like any other NGO, Akshaya Patra too requires NGO volunteer to work and aid at all levels of implementing the programme. For any NGO volunteers become major supporting pillars in carrying out activities to bring the cause to fruition. The role of NGO volunteers is diverse. As a NGO volunteer one can choose to spread the word, work with the organisation at ground level, work towards resource mobilisation by bringing in financial aid from corporate houses and individuals, engage people in various awareness campaigns, help the organisation with their expertise and so on and so forth. The only thing required is the proper platform to engage the NGO volunteers and optimal channelization of their support.

Apart from serving as a NGO in Odisha, Akshaya Patra also functions as a NGO in nine other Indian states. Thus its national presence makes it realise the importance and potential of NGO volunteers in carrying the cause forward. Hence, it has created a ample volunteering opportunities for all those who want to feed the children of India and help them get education at the same time. Like the way thousands of children are getting benefitted with the wholesome mid-day meal in Odisha, the same way 1.4 million children are receiving the goodness of nutritious and hygienic mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra every day across 23 locations in India.

Become a NGO volunteer and invest your skill, time and resources for the ones who deserve to be cared for. Get involved with Akshaya Patra!

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Tax deductible donations on contributing to NGO in Chennai

 As a NGO in Chennai, The Akshaya Patra Foundation serves mid-day meal to school-going children. Akshaya Patra made its advent as a mid-day meal NGO in Chennai in July 2011. Today it serves 718 children this location. Apart from serving as a mid-day meal NGO in Chennai, Akshaya Patra also implements this programme in 22 other locations. This Non-Governmental Organisation is operating in 10 Indian states and it serves 1.4 million children every day. Akshaya Patra functions in a Public-Private Partnership model where it receives support from Government and donors. The Central Government and various State Governments support this Non-Governmental Organisation by providing grants and subsidies for implementing the mid-day meal programme. The generous contribution by donors both individuals and corporate houses towards Akshaya Patra has helped the Foundation to expand the programme and increase its beneficiary base.

The potential of the mid-day meal programme is well understood by the Government and the NGO. Hence, the Finance Ministry has encouraged this Non-Governmental Organisation to seek donations under Section 35 AC and 80 G of the Income Tax Act and the Ministry of Home Affairs has also accorded the permission to collect overseas donations under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 1976. The Section 35AC and 80G Acts of Income Tax allow Akshaya Patra to make available tax exemptions for contribution of Rs.500 and above. This means a donor who contributes Rs. 500 or more to Akshaya Patra becomes eligible for tax deductible donations. This provision of tax deductible donations benefits the interest of the beneficiary and the donor. Thus, a contribution of Rs. 750 by a donor allows a child to receive one wholesome meal per day for one whole year. The same amount also becomes eligible for tax deductible donations thereby allowing the donor to avail 100% tax exemption on his or her contributed amount. This probably could be one of the most efficient ways to contribute to the society while taking care of personal interest.

This NGO in Chennai understands the significance of each penny contributed towards the mid-day meal programme. It also understands the importance of following transparency and delivering responsible and accountable information to all its stakeholders. This is the reason Akshaya Patra regularly publishes its financial statements in the form of Annual report. Akshaya Patra Annual Report is a detailed publication about its achievements, plans, developments, beneficiaries and audited financial statements. The information provided in Akshaya Patra Annual Report has received significant applauds in the form of national and international awards. The authentication of financial reports in the Akshaya Patra Annual Report has been awarded the Gold Shield Award by Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) five times in a row, thereby inducting the Foundation in to the ICAI Hall of Fame. Click here to view the latest Akshaya Patra Annual Report.

Serve the children of the nation and enable them to efficiently run the country tomorrow. Join hands with Akshaya Patra.

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NGO children stories from Telangana

Akshaya Patra in Telangana has been serving mid-day meals to Government school children since October 2008. Today Akshaya Patra feeds more than 54,000 children studying across 454 Government schools in Telangana. The NGO children stories from Telangana are a testimony to the efforts of Akshaya Patra. Here is a snippet of one of the NGO children stories from Telangana.

This story is about Monica Devi, 15-year old girl studying in Zilla Parishad High School, Patancheru, Hyderabad. At an early age of seven Monica faced the hardship of a broken family. But this did not deter her spirit of achieving. She worked hard and has been successful in being the class topper. Monica says she is very close to her family comprising of her grandmother, mother and brother. She is grateful to her family for supporting each other at difficult times. During free time Monica prefers to read and says that reading helps her to remain focussed. She is very fond of the meal provided by Akshaya Patra in Telangana and potato-brinjal curry remains her all-time favourite. This beneficiary of Akshaya Patra in Telangana has crossed many hurdles at a very young age and with all determination Monica aspires to become a teacher.

This and many more such anecdotes are not mere NGO children stories; rather they are millions of hope who requires your support. By contributing online donation in India, you can help Akshaya Patra provide one wholesome meal every day to these underserved children who deserve care and support. Make your contribution by clicking online donation in India.

NGO latest news: Akshaya Patra in Development Dialogue 2015

A non-profit organisation, The Akshaya Patra Foundation received recent coverage in NGO latest news. This NGO latest news coverage came about as a part of Development Dialogue 2015. Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation was invited to speak at the Development Dialogue 2015. A two-day programme, it was hosted by the Deshpande Foundation in Hubli on 7th and 8th February 2015 with the theme of 'Scaling by Proving'.

This year’s theme emphasised on the path to scalable development by following the method of 'Failing Small, Failing Early, Failing Fast'. By employing this method organisations can scale up with less risk and more sustainability. The Development Dialogue portrayed organisations that have been successful examples in following this method for their development. The event hosted a mix of expertise exceeding 300 delegates including representatives from non-profit organisations, academics, entrepreneurs and other eminent personalities.

During the panel discussion comprised of Madhu Pandit Dasa, Narayana Murthy of Infosys, Jeffrey L Bradach of The Bridgespan Group and Moderator Kasturi Rangan of Harvard Business School, USA; Narayana Murthy specified on the role of competition in the corporate world that can result in enthusiasm to achieve newer heights. To this Madhu Pandit Dasa added that Akshaya Patra currently does not have any competitor, nevertheless encouragement and information sharing with public will help people take up various causes as social entrepreneurship and coming from non-profit organisation Akshaya Patra will be willing to share its functioning model.

For a detailed reading on this NGO latest news, click Chairman Madhu Pandit Dasa speaks at Development Dialogue 2015. 

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Charity donations for Indian NGO

Charity donations has established significance for non-profit organisations across the globe. Whether Indian NGO or international NGO, the importance of charity donations remains the same. Charity donations have the potential to alter many lives in the light of positivity and hope. Talking about India, there are many Indian NGOs working towards varied causes. The gamut of causes pertains to issues related to child, health, women, literacy, employment, poverty, hunger, environment, senior citizens and many more. This list makes it clear that when citizens offer charity donations to any non-profit organisation, they are actually taking a conscious step towards bettering the society. Charity donations need not be just a one-sided affair for benefiting the NGO beneficiaries; it may be the other way round too, morally and economically. When a person contributes charity donations, it satiates his or her moral values towards the society and fellow beings. It also becomes a medium of saving tax because many Indian NGOs give tax exemption certificates to its donors, thereby proving to be economically benefitting the donor.

Here is a mention about an Indian NGO that has been working tirelessly for past 14 years to make sure that children in India receives at least one wholesome meal per day. This Indian NGO is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Akshaya Patra implements the mid-day meal programme to children studying in Government schools. It follows the Public-Private Partnership model in implementing the programme. Currently, its reach is felt in 23 locations of 10 Indian states. With the vision of 'No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger' this Indian NGO feeds 1.4 million children every day. Akshaya Patra has set itself a mission of feeding 5 million children by 2020. Indeed a humongous task but certainly achievable with the cooperation and support of everyone. This Indian NGO is confident that contribution in any form is a service to the underserved children. Thus, it opens up platform for charity donations, volunteering, CSR activities and online/offline awareness activities.

The heart-warming hopeful NGO success stories of Akshaya Patra is a testimony of the effort of this Indian NGO in conjunction with support from Government of India, various State Governments, donors and volunteers. Each of the NGO success stories is a living example of how education and nutritious meal can change the way underserved children perceives their world. The NGO success stories of Akshaya Patra are a collection of humble lives from different parts of the country. These children today are determined to achieve great heights and hopeful of a promising future. These NGO success stories also remind us that the dreams of every child whether from affluent background or humble, all have equal footing and they all deserve to be supported equally.

With Akshaya Patra, your charity donations will be utilised towards feeding mid-day meal to millions of children. Through this meal you will allow innumerable number of children to learn right, eat right and achieve right! It's time we took charge of our fellow beings!

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Feed a hungry child through NGO in Jaipur

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a non-governmental organisation in India implementing the mid-day meal programme. The Foundation works in unison with the Central Government of India and various State Governments. This non-governmental organisation has been implementing the mid-day meal programme since 2000. It began operating as a NGO in Bangalore and today it has scaled up to functioning as a NGO in 22 more locations touching the lives of children in 10 Indian states. Here is an overview of its functioning in Rajasthan.

It has been a decade since The Akshaya Patra Foundation began its service in Rajasthan. Its first step toward feeding children in Rajasthan came about with the introduction of its service as a NGO in Jaipur way back in February 2004. This non-governmental organisation operates a centralised kitchen in Jaipur to prepare food for 92,763 children of 1,081 Government schools, every day. This is an ISO 22000:2005 certified kitchen. This kitchen had been recently visited by Former U.S President Bill Clinton. He was filled with amazement to see the hygiene and cleanliness maintained in the kitchen of this NGO in Jaipur in preparing huge quantity of meal every day.  Clinton also visited a beneficiary school of this NGO in Jaipur. His interaction with the beneficiaries of this non-governmental organisation brought to fore the potential of the children studying in Government schools. Clinton appreciated the NGO in Jaipur for its tireless effort in ensuring that nutritious and wholesome meal is provided to the children by keeping intact the cleanliness and hygiene in it cooking process.

This NGO in Jaipur provides an open platform for supporters to participate in implementing the mid-day meal programme. It has charted many volunteering opportunities that can help feed a hungry child. Right from simple moves like spreading awareness about the cause through word of mouth and sharing information about this non-governmental organisation among friends and family through social networking, this NGO in Jaipur offers active volunteering opportunities like participating in campaigns, working on ground like using skills to help children with their curricular and extra-curricular activities and many more.

This non-governmental organisation well perceives the significance of each penny in feeding a hungry child and thus has made available various options for contributing charity. A donor can choose to donate online to charity, or make a donation through cheque or DD or donate through mobile phone also. Donating online to charity is a secure, easy and faster mode of contributing funds toward feeding a hungry child. Whether a donor chooses to donate online to charity or offline he receives 100% tax exemption on his contribution and effort to feed a hungry child.

The mode of support of each donor could be varied but what’s substantial is their thought and action to bring about a generation of change by feeding a hungry child, one at a time.

Donation for children in India-Akshaya Patra

 

Whether developed, developing or underdeveloped, the role of NGO in each of the three categories of countries is equally significant. The role of NGO does not end at just curbing or countering a prevailing issue rather their role extends to sustaining the positive changes that has been brought about with the joint efforts of Government, donors, society and millions of volunteers. The causes of NGO organisation across the globe differ from each other but the common thread that runs across all NGO organisations is ‘change for the better’. Issues that NGO organisations deal with may range from human rights, health, environment, education, children, empowerment and many such categories. But all these causes sum up to benefitting our lives and the societies that we live in.

Talking about NGO organisation for children, these NGOs branch out to deal with issues that surround child development. Some of the issues are malnutrition, education, child rights, child labour and the like. These issues if not tackled will result in stunted development of children who come from underprivileged socio-economic background. Here the role of NGO becomes ever more significant because these NGO organisations deal with generations that make up for the future of the society. If one generation of children are deprived of food, education and health then it will result into a generation of poverty-stricken, illiterate and unhealthy adults. The rate of illiteracy and undernourished is so high that globally all the NGO organisations working to uplift the lives of children require enormous support from the Government and society.

In order to bring change it is better we take charge of the prevailing situation and shoulder responsibilities with the Government. When it comes to altering the lives of children there are many opportunities we can think of. We can volunteer to teach in schools run by NGO organisations, use our talent to teach extracurricular activities like dance, painting etc. to the underprivileged children, sponsor a child’s education, volunteer to spread the cause through our networking communities both, participate in awareness campaigns, contribute donation for children NGOs, get into a corporate partnership with NGO organisations and many more such voluntary activities.

Over time these NGO organisations have realised the potential of internet technology. This has made them introduce the fastest platform to contribute donation for children and that is online donation. Here is a mention of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, globally recognised children NGO in India working in the sector of providing free mid-day meal to the children studying in Government schools. Currently, this NGO organisation provides free mid-day meals to 1.4 million children across 10 states of India. A click here will introduce you to the number of lives that this NGO organisation has been able to change by providing mid-day meals. Indeed the NGO is supported by the Government of India but it also requires your support. You can either choose to contribute donation for children or visit the Get Involved section to see the various option for volunteering with this NGO organisation.

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Tax exemption donation to charity organisations

There are many charity organisations that make available tax exemption for donation for its donors. The cause of each organisation may vary but in all cases the provision of tax exemption donation becomes a win-win situation for the donor and the beneficiary. Tax exemption donation provides an edge to charity organisations to pitch to donor for support. Mostly, during the time of tax filing it becomes evident that more and more people opt for donating towards charity organisations for the reason that it will not only exempt them from paying taxes but will also do good to the society. Of the many causes, mid-day meal programme in India is one such cause that benefits the donor with tax exemption. The mid-day meal programme in India is an initiative of the Central Government of India to provide free school lunch to children studying in Government schools.

Since inception, the mid-day meal programme in India has proved to be the most potential initiative in eliminating classroom hunger. It has been the strongest supporting pillar in promoting education. The overwhelming result of improved enrolment, steady attendance and decreased dropout rate were indicators for the Government to expand this programme in association with Non-Governmental Organisations so as to reach the grass root level. Presently, the mid-day meal programme in India is being implemented by various charity organisations in partnership with the Central Government and State Governments. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one such charity organisation that is implementing the mid-day meal programme in India. This charity organisation serves mid-day meal to 1.4 million children every day. It is present in 23 locations across 10 states of India. Its presence is benefitting the Government school children of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Akshaya Patra has been implementing the mid-day meal programme in India since June 2000. The testimony of more than a decade’s successful implementation lies in the stories of change of its beneficiaries from all corners of the country. This charity organisation follows the Public-Private Partnership model. Over the years, it has received immense support from the Government and benevolent donors for sustaining and expanding the mid-day meal programme. Apart from receiving support from Governmental Departments like the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Food and Civil Supplies Corporations that aided the charity organisation in timely procurement of grains and sustaining operations through Grants and Subsidies, Akshaya Patra also received ample support from the Finance Ministry that encouraged the NGO to seek donations under Section 35 AC and 80 G of the Income Tax Act.  These two sections of the Income Tax Act makes the donor eligible for availing 100% tax exemption donation for all contribution above Rs. 500 towards Akshaya Patra.

So what better way to contribute to the progress of the nation by feeding children a wholesome meal each day and in turn receiving personal benefit of tax exemption for donation? Contribute and save tax!

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Akshaya Patra Chairman Speaks at Development Dialogue 2015

 Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Madhu Pandit Dasa, spoke at the Development Dialogues 2015 conference held at the Deshpande Foundation in Hubli on 7^th and 8^th of February. The theme followed for the conference this year was ‘Scaling by Proving’.

The speakers of the conference tried to showcase how by ‘Failing Small, Failing Early, Failing Fast’, organisations can learn from their errors, take adjustments mid-way in their enterprise, form networks and put their processes in place that will help their organisations scale up quickly.

The conference had over 300 delegates including Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Prize winner 2014. In fact Madhu Pandit Dasa and the Akshaya Patra team had the opportunity to spend time with Mr. Satyarthi to discuss the mid-day meal programme and exchange ideas.

Madhu Pandit Dasa of Akshaya Patra shared the panel with Narayana Murthy from Infosys and Jeffrey L Bradach from the Bridgespan Group. The moderator of the panel discussion was Kasturi Rangan of Harvard Business School, USA.

Speaking on the panel Madhu Pandit Dasa responded to Narayana Murthy’s statement on the role of corporate partnership in initiating competition saying, “Currently Akshaya Patra has no competitor, but encouragement and the sharing of information will help others take up social entrepreneurship. Being a non-profit set-up, we are ready to pass on our functioning model.”

Upcoming Akshaya Patra Kitchen Feature In Ngo Latest News

NGO latest news features the upcoming Akshaya Patra kitchen in Hyderabad. It is estimated that in a span of approximately three months Akshaya Patra will have one of its largest kitchen facility in Hyderabad. Serving as a NGO in Hyderabad, the upcoming kitchen will be equipped with state-of-the-art cooking equipment to increased cooking quantity and reduction of cooking time. 

The current kitchen of the NGO in Hyderabad employs the cauldron technology to prepare meals for one lakh children. The NGO latest news communicates that the new facility of Akshaya Patra kitchen will be fitted with customised machines from Sweden that will be able to cook 1,600 kg of rice in half an hour, 4,800 litres of sambar in 45 minutes and 2,000 kg of sabzi (vegetable) in just one hour.

The Unit President of Akshaya Patra kitchen in Hyderabad says with the existing cauldron technology the cooking process begins by 3 o’clock in the morning and finishes by 9 o’clock but with the introduction of new technology the entire cooking process will get over within just two hours i.e. from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The trial runs of the food machines have already been conducted and once the NGO in Hyderabad receives building plan sanctions from GHMC, the construction for the new Akshaya Patra kitchen will commence thereafter. To read media coverage, click here. 

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Ngo In Visakhapatnam Receives Certificate For Service Excellence

Akshaya Patra winning Certificate of Merit is the NGO latest news in Andhra Pradesh. Akshaya Patra, the NGO in Visakhapatnam was awarded the Certificate of Merit for its excellent relief operations service during the HUDHUD cyclone in 2014. The District Collector and Police Commissioner handed over the certificate to Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa, President of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, NGO in Visakhapatnam during the Republic Day celebration on 26 January 2015.

In the past too, Akshaya Patra has been recipient of significant recognitions and awards for its service. Click here to view.

Akshaya Patra has been serving as a NGO in Visakhapatnam since October 2008. It provides mid-day meal to more than 5,000 children every day. Click here to read more about this NGO in Visakhapatnam.

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A Compassionate Akshaya Patra Beneficiary

 Nausheen is a student of class nine in the Zilla Parishad High School in Telangana, a beneficiary school of the Akshaya Patra mid-day meal programme. Though she is so young she is already a very emotionally mature and compassionate young lady. She does extremely well in class and already knows what her ambition is. "I want to become a lecturer. I love Hindi language and I want to become a good teacher to my students," she says.

Part of what Nausheen also loves about school is the Akshaya Patra mid-day meal. "I love the khichdi (rice and lentils) served by Akshaya Patra,” she exclaims.

Nausheen’s older sister, Afreen, also studies at the same school in class ten. Her sister lives with an ailment of the hand that prevents her from being able to move the limb. This affliction has caused her so much upset that often she refuses to eat the Akshaya Patra lunch provided at the school in case her classmates make fun of her.

Nausheen, at such a young age, has already taken on the responsibilities of helping her mother and sister with their chores, with compassion.

On hearing Nausheen and her sister’s story we were moved to take assurances from the teachers of the school that efforts would be made to make Afreen more comfortable. We hope that she has the opportunity to feel happy and settled, enjoying Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal served hot on the school campus.