Happy Kannada Rajyotsava – Akshaya Patra Pays Tribute

Every year, 1st November is observed as Kannada Rajyotsava. On this day, in 1956 all the Kannada speaking areas of South India were merged into a new state, Karnataka. Initially, the state was called Mysore, but this was considered too reminiscent of the old princely regiment, and the name was changed to Karnataka on 1st November 1973. Kannada Rajyotsava is celebrated with unified enthusiasm all over the state and across all age groups, religion, gender, and income groups. The state flag adorns all important locations, and the state anthem reverberates all day long. It is a day to celebrate the progress and development of the state. To praise the good deeds of local citizens, the State Government bestows the Rajyotsava Award on people who have contributed toward the well-being and development of the state in a noteworthy way.

Just as the entire state celebrates Kannada Rajyotsava with much fervour, we at The Akshaya Patra Foundation, pay our sincere tribute to this state – the birthplace of our Foundation. We began our service to children in June 2000 by providing mid-day meal to 1,500 children across five Government schools in Bengaluru. Since then, there has not been any looking back. Today, we feed more than five lakh children in 2,841 Government and Government-aided schools every day, from our six specialized centralised kitchens located across the state - H.K. Hill (Bengaluru) feeds 87,882 children in 508 schools, Vasanthapura (Bengaluru) feeds 1,01,541 children in 646 schools, Ballari feeds 1,26,932 children in 577 schools, Hubballi feeds 1,52,423 in 807 schools, Mangaluru feeds 17,024 in 139 schools, and Mysuru feeds 23,450 in 164 schools. 

But, this operational expansion in Karnataka has been possible mainly because of the steadfast support we received from the Government of Karnataka along with benevolent donors and charitable corporates. We sincerely thank every stakeholder for their constant support and hope this support continues as we look forward to feeding thousands of more children who are still waiting for their share of the wholesome mid-day meal.

This Kannada Rajyotsava, let’s pledge to eliminate classroom hunger 

from all the schools of Karnataka

Akshaya Patra bags Kalam Memorial Award 2016

In one of the recent non-profit news, Akshaya Patra has been highlighted for its contribution to society. On October 15, 2016, Akshaya Patra, a children charity foundation, was awarded the prestigious ‘Kalam Innovation in Governance Award 2016’ (KIGA 2016). This was the 1st Edition of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Summit which was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Shri Bharatarshabha Dasa, Director - Relationships of Akshaya Patra received the award on behalf of Akshaya Patra from Mr Alok Ranjan, Chairperson of Kalam Centre and Former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. The award which is given out in the memory of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam recognises organisations that have contributed to the development of the state. “We feel honoured to receive the 1st Edition of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial Award for ‘Innovation in Governance’ category. This award will inspire us to reach out to more children,” said Shridhar Venkat, CEO of Akshaya Patra.

Akshaya Patra operates the world’s largest Mid-Day Meal Programme is grateful to be one of the recipients of the award. We would like to thank the Kalam Summit and its panel for recognising Akshaya Patra’s role in building a better future for children, improving governance and delivering value.

For more, visit our nonprofit news section.

Eliminating Hunger is a Crucial Step for India

The Global Hunger Index (a tool designed to measure global hunger) released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) shows that India ranks 97 out of 118 countries – ‘Serious’ hunger. As many as 43 countries are under the ‘Serious’ category whereas 45 countries are low. For India to tackle the hunger problem by feeding the hungry, the current policies have schemes have to be more stringent and accessible to people in need.

While the government and many NGOs are working towards feeding the children with wholesome meals, there is a need for us to act together as a society. Given the number of children who require food in our country, Akshaya Patra, a children’s NGO based out of Bengaluru, is providing healthy meals to over 1.6 million school children in 11 states in India. The Foundation is also focusing on reaching out to 5 million children by 2020.

Why should we focus on children’s food demands?

Children are the future. Considering the magnitude of hunger problem in India, many NGOs are setting up initiatives to eliminate hunger especially among children – they are stunted, poorly nourished and do not receive one square meal a day. Going by the GHI score, 38.7% of children below five years are stunted – it means that the weight is not appropriate for their height (they are too thin). In 1992, this score was 61.9. That’s a difference of 23.2% in the last 24 years.

With an initiative like ‘Food for Education,’ by Akshaya Patra, the advantages are doubled to make hunger a history – the child is educated and also, he or she is completely nourished with nutritious meals.

Inclusive development and addressing issues using this method is more important for India. That is, simultaneously focus on development of education, citizens’ rights, health care, housing facilities, job opportunities and so on. However, when one issue is looked down as least important, it multiples and becomes far more challenging.

Here’s what you can do to eliminate hunger in India

It has been proved over and again that India has sufficient resources to eliminate hunger. However, the existing challenges are a drawback. Distribution of food among families with low-income, building infrastructure to reach certain towns and villages, educating the farmers, ensuring fair-trade are some of the challenges.

Akshaya Patra’s school lunch programme benefits children from many small towns and villages to consume a square meal on every school day. Today, the organisation reaches out to 13,210 schools to feed the children. Keeping hygiene and quality in mind, mid-day meals are freshly prepared and are delivered to schools during lunch time.

You can get involved in this cause too! Contribute to the cause by sponsoring a child’s mid-day meals for an entire year. Also, you can learn how Akshaya Patra operates its Mid-Day Meal Programme by visiting our blog.

Pledge to Support a Girl Child This Dussehra

We often feel fortunate about living in the 21st century. Life has become as simple as it could ever be and the least one has to do is install an app to get his work done in a fraction of seconds. But, sadly in many parts of the world, nothing has been improved for girls yet. A UN report stated that worldwide, around 700-million girls did not have a right to decide when to marry and they are married as children. Early marriage leads to early pregnancy and hence weak health among girls. Often the reason for such a situation is lack of awareness and education.

Why should you support a Girl Child?

Perspectives are changing with each passing year. From families’ abandoning the idea of girl child to now accepting the gender and providing equal importance, there has been a positive change. There are many charitable organisations that undertake initiatives to kindle awareness and gender equality by setting out programmes of employment, empowerment and education for girls. Also, there are many girls who have been benefitted by educational schemes and programmes.

Dussera is round the corner in India, and it is a symbol of the victory of truth, honesty and good against lies, deceit and evil. This year, it coincides with the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, 2016. The purpose of this day is to run the mission of gender equality by 2030 by developing awareness of the importance of nurturing a girl child.

How can you make a difference this Dussehra?

Education for Girl: In order to create a literate, healthy and strong society, it is as important to educate a girl as it is for a boy. Education becomes a strong foundation for girls to improve their status in the society, stay aware about their lives, decide for their life and support the income generation in families. Educating a girl creates self-awareness and empowers other women and the society as well. Spreading awareness and promoting education is a way through which you can be a part of the celebration of International day of The Girl as well as Dussehra. You may simply sponsor a school for a year so more and more girls are encouraged to attend school.

Healthy and Nutritious Food: Girls and women in some families are deprived of healthy and sufficient meal. It’s not because they do not have access to food but due to lack of awareness since women are not the bread-earners in many households. This practice adversely affects girls’ as well as women’s health. The status can be improved, by providing food to girl children in schools and anganwadi centers or by volunteering.

Akshaya Patra is a philanthropic organisation that runs Mid-Day Meal Programme, in active collaboration with the government, for children in India who are deprived of education and food. The trust has its branches in 10 states in the country from where it caters to the needs of nutritious meals.  You have the option of contributing or donating a small fraction of the income in feeding a child throughout his/her education. This Dussera, let’s support a girl child by taking the responsibility of her one-time meal.

This way you also get to donate for education in India as many children are deprived of education and nourishment. The trust, with the support of social enthusiasts and philanthropists, becomes successful in delivering food to millions of children and yet there are millions left who don’t go to school but strive hard for meals. You can reach them with meals. You may simply choose to donate online.

History of Mid-Day Meals in India

Madras Corporation under the British Empire initiated the Mid-Day meal Programme in 1925. Later, after independence, Tamil Nadu was the first state to run the programme in 1963, by supplying free lunches in government schools, government-aided schools and anganwadi centers. According to the legacy of mid-day meal in India, British administration formed the foundation for supplying food across the government schools for primary and upper-primary children. Subsequently, Government of India started the school meal programme to improve nutritional status of children and stop child labour. Akshaya Patra today actively works with the Indian government in supplying meals at a larger scale and is on a mission to eradicate undernourishment nationwide.

This year, Dussera brings us an opportunity of true celebration of the festival by truly fighting against the evil of illiteracy and undernourishment, and contributing towards creating a healthier, safer society for girls. This year let’s begin the celebration with the joy of giving something to society, contributing in its welfare and supporting a girl child.

Sources: www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/girl-child

www.un.org/en/events/girlchild/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midday_Meal_Scheme#Historya