Gift a Happy New Year to India’s children - Akshaya Patra's Message

The curtains are closing on 2016 and the stage is set for 2017. Yes folks, New Year 2017 is here! It is a time to gather the lessons of the past year, celebrate its joys and let go of its pains. The New Year brings in new hopes, dreams and often a list of resolutions too! The end of a year and the beginning of the new one is also a period of reflection on the blessings received in the previous year. 

One wonderful way of ushering in the New Year is to bring happiness to the most innocent of souls – kids. Donating to children’s charities is a great way of doing this! The Akshaya Patra Foundation works tirelessly for the cause of ‘unlimited food for education’. Founded in the year 2000 with the principle that no child should be deprived of education due to hunger, the organisation operates the world’s largest NGO-run Mid-day Meal Programme in India. Currently feeding over 1.6 million in the country through its state-of-the-art kitchens, the Foundation, registered under section 35AC of the Income Tax Act, 1961, strives tirelessly to eliminate classroom hunger. Why not join this fight against hunger and malnutrition and gift India’s children a healthy, wholesome school lunch a day by donating to the Foundation? That would be a noble and auspicious start to the New Year!

Akshaya Patra’s immediate mission is to feed 5 million children by 2020. Every successive year brings an added hope to the Foundation – that of benefitting a greater number of people. Its programmes are the fuel that powers the dreams of young children across India. These kaleidoscopic dreams include becoming doctors, engineers, architects, pilots, soldiers. It is up to the people of the world to come together to ensure that they are fulfilled and the children’s tomorrows are lit with education and nutrition. This is possible through donations of generous patrons who feel strongly about the futures of India’s children. Every contribution above Rs 500 made to the Foundation is eligible for 100% tax exemption in India, under section 80GGA. 

Make 2017 a great one for India’s school kids!

What is Education? From a Child’s Perspective

Everyone has a right to knock the door to their destiny, to which, undernourishment, money, and lack of resources should never be a hindrance. Education is a journey we all live through. We cannot go through life and learn nothing. We as kids start to initially learn at our homes, from our family and from childhood friends. From trials and observations, we learn that pressing a switch downwards turns on the light. But formal education in school helps us understand what actually makes the light or device turn on. There’s no child who doesn’t have a dream of growing up and becoming a successful person. Education for children is a chance to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor, teacher, scientist, musician or anything alike.

All kids admire going to school and learning how to read and write, but not all kids can afford going to school. If you look at the list of NGOs in Bangalore, you will note that Akshaya Patra supports millions of children. The organisation provides healthy mid-day meals in schools and hence, feed the hungry to give them a chance to lead a better life. So, let us donate for education in India and support this noble mission of Zero Hunger and Quality Education.

A chance to repay their parents’ hardwork

At a very young age, children start to realize the fact that their parents work very hard and sacrifice a lot to provide them all the comfort and grant them all their wishes. They see education as a chance to repay these efforts with good grades and making their parents proud. If we help these kids by providing them a chance to go to school, they can not only prove themselves as harbingers of hope but also provide better living conditions to their parents when they grow up as independent individuals. 

A chance to make themselves capable of helping others

Only he who wears knows where exactly the shoe pinches. Students who are deprived of daily meals and education very well know how effective mid-day meal benefits are. They also know how it feels to be plunged into a situation they cannot control. Children with such thoughts, see education as an opportunity to become capable of helping others first and themselves being benefitted later. We ought to appreciate this spirit and provide food for the education of these children who even have to go to bed hungry at times. There’s nothing more satisfying than feeding the hungry.

A chance to create their identity in this whole wide world

Education has different meanings and forms for different children. For some, it is language, science or mathematics while for some it is music, dance or art. Children are always very passionate about chasing their dreams and if provided with all the opportunities, they can excel at their interests. They wish to make their parents proud by doing something extraordinary for themselves, their families, society and their country. If such determined kids do not get a chance to get an education, in spite of our capabilities to help, what sense does our education make?

We ought to come forward and donate for education in India. Let the children continue having faith in humanity and kindness. Sponsor a child today and win tax exemption in India!

Be a Child’s Santa this Christmas | Sponsor a Child

Christmas season is here which also means it’s time to give something back to society! While we all get busy looking for best Christmas gift ideas for our friends and family, Akshaya Patra has one compassionate idea that will leave you with pride! How about sponsoring a child’s meal for an entire year? And what if we told you Rs 950 covers the cost of meals for an entire year?

In the midst of everything that’s on this planet, children teach us the meaning of innocence, spark a lot of fun and are the most curious little beings. Unfortunately, not all children get a fair chance to experience freedom. Unfortunately, some children are not even students. Akshaya Patra touches upon these lives by given them one basic need which is also the source of everyone’s survival – food. The organisation provides nutritious mid-day meals to children in government and aided schools thus encouraging children to enroll in school and continue their education.

To ensure more children receive food and education through this charity for children, you can make a thoughtful donation to Akshaya Patra: sponsor a child. By donating, you will receive 100% tax exemption as per Section 80G of Income Tax Act. But we’d also like to tell you that this is not just a contribution but an attempt to transform a young life and give them the freedom to dream big.

If there’s more you would like to do for children, you can try creating charity fundraising campaigns on our website in a few simple steps. The funds received from online fundraising campaigns help us reach out to more children. This Christmas, while you wait for your gift to be kept under the Christmas tree, why don’t you make it special for a child by being his or her Santa? Gift a child an uninterrupted education by making a donation of Rs 950!

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Akshaya Patra, NGO for children head quartered in Bengaluru, is present across 11 states in India. Every day, the Foundation reaches out to over 1.6 million children with nutritious mid-day meals to ensure their school attendance is not affected due to hunger. You can sponsor a child and receive 100% tax exemption as per section 80G of income tax act.

Mid-Day Meal Components that define Child Nutrition

We know about nutrition and we ensure it as well. We take utmost care of our kids and provide them all the amenities. But what about those children who belong to marginalised sections who have to go to bed hungry at times, who have never had more than a quarter of chapati in their meals, whose parents are dependent on daily wages which cannot fulfil daily needs - who would take care of them?

Shouldn’t we?

Along with love, acceptance, appreciation, encouragement, and guidance; good living conditions including healthy meals are also essential for the cognitive development of children.  A diet comprising all necessary components facilitates their all-round development. A balanced intake of proteins, carbohydrates, fats etc., is mandatory for their bodies to stay healthy and minds to function well. All parents ensure this for their kids and so must we for every child who does not get a fair chance.

But it is shocking to know that India, which is developing otherwise, is a home to millions of children who are underweight. Their parents often cannot afford a healthy living. In such scenarios, should we do something to empower the children? Yes, without a second thought.

Akshaya Patra, one of the top NGOs in India, has come forward to address this issue by feeding the children. We should also educate people about the importance of a healthy diet and ways to ensure it. So what are the necessary components that define child nutrition?

Calories and Proteins

According to dietary norms stated by Central Mid-Day Meal Scheme, 450 Calories and 700 Calories as well as 12 grams and 20 grams of proteins are required for Primary and Upper Primary groups respectively. The quality of meals protects children from a sluggish metabolism, low energy levels, low immunity, underweight etc. Mid-Day Meal benefits more than 1.6 million children every day!

Fats and Carbohydrates

Fats are a source of energy for the body. Besides keeping children high on energy for a long time, they also strengthen their immune system, help in absorption of vitamins, production of hormones and insulation of body. Carbohydrates also act as energy suppliers. They help in regulation of blood glucose, the breakdown of fatty acids and act as a dietary fiber. Potatoes, beans, milk, grains are rich in carbohydrates. Both these components are an essential part of child’s nutrition because they help in their vital growth and keep them energetic. Akshaya Patra ensures that the meals provided by them have the required quantity of fats and carbohydrates so as to ensure proper nutrition, energy supply, and growth of the children.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are the micronutrients that are required by our body to carry out several metabolic functions. Vitamin A helps maintain soft tissues, mucous membranes, healthy skin and good eyesight. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy gums and teeth. It helps in the absorption of iron and promotes wound healing. There are many other vitamins like Vitamin E, K, B6, B12 that are important for the body. Like vitamins, minerals also help the body to grow, develop, and stay healthy. Minerals are used for several functions- from building strong bones to transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are also used in the production of hormones and maintaining a normal heartbeat.

Akshaya Patra ensures that their meals are of good quality, hygienic, and include all these components. It has a mission of serving healthy meals to 5 million kids by 2020. You can make a donation in honour of someone to help children get the best diets for their growth. Let’s donate today!

The Beginning of Quality Education

‘Education for all’ has been resonating in everybody’s mind and yes, India is on the path to achieving this. However, education does not always synchronise with quality. United Nations, in one of their papers presented at The International Working Group on Education Florence, Italy in June 2000 defines quality education in five points:

• Learners who are healthy, well-nourished and ready to participate and learn, and supported in learning by their families and communities

• Environments that are healthy, safe, protective and gender-sensitive, and provide adequate resources and facilities

• Content that is reflected in relevant curricula and materials for the acquisition of basic skills, especially in the areas of literacy, numeracy and skills for life, and knowledge in such areas as gender, health, nutrition, HIV/AIDS prevention and peace. 

• Processes through which trained teachers use child-centred teaching approaches in well-managed classrooms and schools and skilful assessment to facilitate learning and reduce disparities. 

• Outcomes that encompass knowledge, skills and attitudes, and are linked to national goals for education and positive participation in society.

The first point in particular talks about children who are well-nourished learners. What Akshaya Patra, a charity for children, is focusing through their Mid-Day Meal Programme is – increase a child’s nutrition intake as well as ending classroom hunger. Through charity fundraising activities, the Foundation receives sustainable help from several people and corporates across the globe. 

Divya, one of Akshaya Patra beneficiaries, says she likes ‘warm and nutritious food.’ This one incentive that children receive every day encourages them to pursue their education without fear and also makes them aware of societal issues. Some of our beneficiaries testify that they would want to grow up to help the society – a value that helps spread kindness.

As we expand our Mid-Day Meal Programme to more schools and locations, we urge the people to contribute to a healthy future. Akshaya Patra’s donors can avail 100% tax exemption for donations above Rs. 500 as per section 80g of income tax act. This article gives you an overview of how you can avail the exemption and why it is important to donate for education in India.

What should be our Future Goals: National Energy Conservation Day 2016

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

The 21st century has been the chief consumer of energy. We have dramatically transitioned from natural resources like fire, water and wind, to oil for large-scale production. Compared to the years before Industrial Revolution that took place sometime in 1740 (new machineries were introduced for agricultural revolution), the energy consumption was less and our activities did not threaten the environment the way it does today. Today, as we sit comfortably in our office or home, energy is at the verge of depletion simply because it is not being used efficiently.

In India, Energy Conservation Act was passed in 2001. It provides a policy framework and enforces large energy consumers to follow certain norms to ensure the usage is efficient. 

We at Akshaya Patra, a charity for children, use renewable energy during our mid-day meal operations. Our Vasanthapura kitchen in Bengaluru has a solar plant which produces up to 70 units of power a day. This energy is used to power applications like fans, computers and other basic systems. Apart from solar plant, biogas plants are also employed at Akshaya Patra that produce 40-50 kg of biogas and will consume about 1000 kg of waste. With support from donors and the government, this Foundation feeds over 1.6 million children on every school day. 

Solar Plant at Akshaya Patra VK Hill Kitchen

Today, the challenge is not just shifting from excess energy usage to renewables; it is also about educating children and ourselves on how to save the planet’s resources.

Energy depletion is not a nation-specific issue but a global one. On National Energy Conservation Day, 2016 (observed annually on December 14), let us understand how we can conserve energy as individuals and contribute towards a better tomorrow. 

Tips for Conservation

• Turn off the water taps and try rainwater harvesting
• Switch to LED or CFL bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs 
• Limit the use of car and bikes to avoid excess carbon emissions
• Switch to solar power  
• Reuse and recycle materials 

Why is it important for all of us to conserve energy?

It is a cycle - earth generates energy and we, as humans, depend on the energy to fuel our living. For instance, fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are the primary source of our living and they are non-renewable resources. If coal (majorly used in power plants) gradually drop out of our sight, our existence itself will get crippled. If these fossil fuels and other natural resources continue to be utilized the way it is done today, there is a chance we would fail to protect the planet we call home.

Each one of us (7.5 billion people) is responsible for our actions. When we take up the responsibility of protecting the Planet, we may get to see a better future!

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Akshaya Patra is an NGO based in Bengaluru. With support from government and donors who choose tax deductible donations, the organisation continues to provide nutritious mid-day meals to over 1.6 million children in India. As a donor, you will receive 100% income tax exemption. Donate today!

Can You Feed a Child Today?

Even after gaining grounds on development in many sectors, India has been taking its own sweet time to combat against two major challenges of the present time - providing education and food to the underprivileged. According to 2016 Global Nutrition Report, 667 million children (in 129 countries) under the age of five have severe nutrition deficiencies which have resulted in: stunting, disproportion of height and weight, and overweight. Many organisations have been responsive to this but reaching the required level of pace is still a long way to go. This is where we need to realize our responsibilities towards society, donate generously to a cause, feed the children and do our bit in defeating all inhibitions to growth not as a gesture of tokenism but as a profound yearning to change the world.

Here’s how you can make a difference for children and help them to pursue their dreams by making a gift of an inexhaustible vessel of food and hope:

Why should you support Akshaya Patra?

Akshaya Patra started off with 1,500 children a day which has now drastically grown to serve over 1.6 million children across 11 states of India. Seeing the splendid mid-day meal benefits, appreciations from many dignitaries including Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton, one need not have a second thought on contributing. The mission of this charitable trust is to serve 5 million children by 2020 which is achievable only if more of us care deeply about the cause and help in fundraising. Needless to mention, it is an overwhelming opportunity for us to contribute.

What can you do?

Akshaya Patra lets and urges you to help those in dire need of your sponsorship. And, you’ll be surprised to know that the amount to sponsor a child for a year almost equals a bill for two at a restaurant and so often, most of us do it fortnightly. Why not let the unfed taste some nutritious food as well? There is no better expenditure of money than donating some of it to a charitable trust who feeds the hungry. There’s so much to do and so fewer doers. Change the notion and make a donation in honour of someone!

How about the end-beneficiaries?

Mid-day meal is a strategic intervention to not only benefit children’s stomach but also to lay the foundation of a brighter India. It is a great satisfaction to hear beneficiaries like Aditya and Zinkal say that they are passionate about joining Indian army and serving the nation. Given the wings to fly, these ambitious kids would paint the sky in glory as Malala Yousafzai says, “One child, one book, and one pen can change the world.”

Do you know what the biggest threat to a needy is? It is a belief that somebody else, if not me, might help him. Embrace the humanitarian core and show that you care deeply about children who are underserved. Support us to feed the children!

Donate to Akshaya Patra and Win Tax Exemptions!

No one has ever become poor by giving – Anne Frank

Food for Education is a unique concept in a country like India where there’s a large population of children who need food. These children often do not go to school. Many working parents don’t send their children to school so the latter can take care of their younger siblings back home. There are often far too many mouths to feed to worry about education. The most practical solution to this problem is to bring children to school and provide them with one-time meal, known as Mid-Day Meal.

That’s what Food for Education is all about. It’s about incentivising attendance in school. And no, children don’t leave the school premises the moment they finish their meals. They stay back and study hard. Parents now feel more motivated to send their children to schools since they know their kids would not only get food, but also they would study in a safe environment.

Akshaya Patra has been on a mission of Food for Education since the year 2000. It has been working actively alongside the government and has so far reached 13,529 schools in the country and has successfully completed 2.12 billion meals so far.

100% tax deduction benefit

Akshaya Patra is a registered and recognised charity for children organisation that has a transparent way of finances. Donors have several ways to make a contribution while they get easy an income tax exemption. There are many benefits of offering a donation to Akshaya Patra. Donations to Akshaya Patra are eligible for 100% deduction under Section 35 AC/ 80 GGA of the Indian Income Tax.   Under Section 35 AC of the Income Tax act, the Central Government -   on recommendation from the National Committee for the Social & Economic Welfare - has notified the Project “Mid-Day Meal Programme run by The Akshaya Patra Foundation” as an eligible project for the allowing of 100% deduction of the contribution made by the Assesse.

This allows the donor to not only contribute in the cause of Food for Education but also earn a 100% tax deduction benefit. Most of the donation to other NGO qualifies for only 50% deduction under Section 80 G of the Income Tax act. But the tax deductible donation to Akshaya Patra is especially helpful for all those who wish to make a positive contribution but are often deterred by lack of funds. They can now choose to donate to Akshaya Patra.

When you make a contribution, you receive a certificate of 100% tax exemption benefit along with Thank You letter via courier or post. You may use the certificate to avail the benefit for the respective financial year. There are many reasons to donate to a great cause. This is one of them. Donate Today.

Thanksgiving Message by Akshaya Patra

None of us got to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we received was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone's help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you. -- Harvey Mackay

Appreciation is something we all like for the hard work we do, for the achievements we make; the sound of that one very important word - Thank-you – is always like music. The level or intensity then doesn’t matter. Maybe it is a very small assistance that we provided or we did something really big for someone, appreciation always makes us feel proud and content. But how many times we do the same to other people? How many times do we express gratitude?

But first things first; what are you truly and deeply thankful for? For some people, it’s their family and friends. For others, it may be their jobs or careers. For still others, it may simply be a one-time meal or second-hand books that they get from others. Similarly, people have different ways to show their thankfulness towards what life has given them. Some like to commemorate it in grand style, some like to treat their near and dear ones, and some simply like to align it with fulfilling the needs of those who are deprived, be it the very basic human needs to survive or something else. All of these though point to that one feeling that when we are happy, we like to share and want to see the same happiness on the faces of the people around us.

The message of Thanksgiving is simply to reach out and say – Thank You. If you are one of those who are truly grateful for your life and the education you received as a child, you may choose to donate for a cause that relates to the biggest blessings of your life. Akshaya Patra offers many such opportunities where there are provisions for tax deductible donations.

What else are you thankful for? The clean air you breathe, the freedom of expression you have or the right to education that you are entitled to. Ever thought of giving it back to the society by donating for a cause such as education? You can practically be a part of this cause by lending a helping hand to the Mid-Day Meal Programme run by Akshaya Patra.

Contributions you make would result in an overall upliftment of the society in general and ultimately also help in adding to your life’s experiences. Upon looking back, you may find some of these memories worth remembering and sharing.

Thanksgiving worldwide is a holiday that’s most awaited. It is equivalent to harvest in India where farmers celebrate the arrival of the season. No wonder Thanksgiving has harvest in its root of celebration. The biggest Thanksgiving message is to be grateful for the crops, for the food and for the education that people have received year after year.

Helping others by donating to NGO’s also is often a good way of conveying gratitude. These are tax deductible donations whereby every donor gets income tax exemptions.

So, donate or pledge to donate to shape a life of those who need it. 

Creating a Network of Healthy Students

Childhood is the time of exploration. Children are often better students than adults because they are open to learning in their quest for curiosity.  What if our entire country becomes a healthy ecosystem of learning where children get equal opportunity to learn and explore knowledge?

One of the ways that this seemingly utopian thought could actually come true is to ensure that each child going to school gets a healthy meal. Food must not become a deterrent but a motivating factor in children’s lives so to draw them to school.

The Mid-Day Meal Programme in states like Andhra Pradesh run in association with the government is one such endeavour towards ensuring Food for Education. Children’s charity Akshaya Patra has been actively working in 11 states across India towards serving healthy meals to school children. This state has had some amazing stories of children benefiting from this initiative, parents sending their children to school and spreading the word.

There’s a network that’s being created around the country of healthy students – school children who get mid-day meals every day. In order to understand its full impact, you need to dig a little into the history of mid-day meal scheme in India. It all began in June 2000 with the first ever programme of Mid-Day Meal in Bengaluru.  Akshaya Patra began with just 1500 children, today; it feeds 16 lakh children.

Specifically when it comes to Mid-Day Meal Programme in Andhra Pradesh, the children’s charity began its centralised kitchen in Visakhapatnam back in October 2008. Today this kitchen serves 21,333 children across 82 schools in the region.

This is an active network of healthy students who are learning in a great environment where they feel that their schools care for their food and nutrition. However, what really keeps us motivated is the feeling that children are taking it as a valuable gesture from the government and the schools. An instance of creating a network of healthy students is found in Visakhapatnam where there are 304 Anganwadi schools being run by the government. This unit of Akshaya Patra feeds 40,000 children across the Anganwadis. Since these are mainly set up in economically weaker sections, their enrollment often goes up each year.

L Kumari, a beneficiary of Anganwadi programme, has a six-month-old baby. It’s important for her to feed the baby regularly and she finds it wonderful that she gets to have healthy and nutritious meal. Moreover, she is determined to send her baby to school when he grows up. The seeds of healthy education system are thus being sown right from an early stage as Mid-Day Meal Programme in Andhra Pradesh moves forward and reach more children each year.

This ever-growing healthy network of Food for Education is supported by many donors and our government. By contributing Rs 950, you can sponsor a child for an entire year!

What and Why of Children’s Day in India

There’s much happy ring to the greeting – Happy Children’s Day. In India, it’s a special day dedicated to children – a day to recognise children as precious gifts and that they deserve to be cherished. The credit for celebrating children on November 14 every year goes to India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He was fondly called Chacha Nehru by the children.

November 14 is Nehru’s birthday and he preferred to celebrate it as Children’s Day. He once said: “I like being with children and talking to them and, even more, playing with them. For the moment I forget that I am terribly old and it is very long ago since I was a child.” It’s with this spirit that we undertake food projects with various schools around India and bring mid-day meals with the help of the government to school children. 

Many children in India struggle with getting quality food and education, and this is where the role of NGOs has been pivotal. Akshaya Patra is one of the children’s charities that have put a strong foot forward to reach out to more and more children with its Mid-Day Meal Programme. So far, this children’s charitable organisation has reached 13,210 government and government-aided schools in 26 locations across 11 states of India.

Why we must celebrate children?

On Children’s day, various schools and children’s charities organise cultural programmes & competitions to encourage children with getting involved in the fun-filled activities. Serving over 2.12 billion meals to children all over India since 2009, Akshaya Patra has been doing every bit to bridge the gap and help children celebrate various occasions to the fullest. It’s important that we must celebrate Children’s Day because in doing so, we are investing in our own future, our own society. Children are like clay and we have the responsibility of molding them into beautiful pots. 

Akshay Patra gives you a chance to be the child’s ray of hope, add to the moments of joy in their lives and be a part of their growth story. Wondering how? You can write a blog and spread the word about our initiative, or you can engage with us on social media and share our posts with your connections/friends, or you can even create awareness among people through active fundraising campaigns.

Help a child get closer to his dream

Bhanupriya studies at a school in Bengaluru where Akshaya Patra Mid-Day meals are served. She dreams of becoming a doctor and wants to treat poor patients for free. And for that, she knows that she needs to study well and get good grades. So in order to help her achieve this, Akshaya Patra provides her food that is delicious and will help her grow into a healthy being. Just like Bhanupriya, many other children all over India are now getting better food and better education. You too can be someone who could help a child and get him closer from dream to reality.

Sponsor a Child for a Better Future!

Make this Children’s Day more rewarding for someone who is still living in hope of a bright future. While NGOs play their role, they need your support and encouragement as well. You can do that by donating an amount of Rs 950 for a year to begin with, as it would hold immense value for that one child whose life will be impacted for a lifetime. Sponsor a Child TODAY!

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

Be A Part of Joy of Giving Week with Akshaya Patra - Daan Utsav

When was the last time you gave to society? Now that Daan Utsav (Joy of Giving Week) 2016 has arrived, it’s time you and I celebrate the festival along with the nation and spread kindness by giving what you can to society.

Daan Utsav, previously known as Joy of Giving, is a week-long festival celebrated in October all over India, since its launch in 2009. The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a children’s NGO based in Bengaluru, is happy to be a part of the initiative, by virtue of being a not-for-profit organisation.

This time of the year, many of us get busy looking for Joy of Giving Week ideas. What we don’t realise is that the most credible ideas are the simple ones – buying a meal for the ones in need, giving a blanket to the homeless, gifting a box of stationery to a child and many more. When we see someone on the street in need of support, we often tell ourselves that we do not have the provision to support that person. Well, you may not be wrong. After all, this person needs your consistent support and we as individuals are often capable of providing help in small measures. However, no act is too small in this regard. As the famous proverb goes – ‘Little by little, little becomes a lot.’

There are many NGOs in India serving a cause with a purpose to deal with pressing social and economic issues and to empower every citizen in the country. This year, you can celebrate the Joy of Giving festival with The Akshaya Patra Foundation. This NGO for Children provides mid-day meals to over 1.6 million children every day. Every meal is a joyous one for the child and for the Foundation. If you are looking for opportunities to give to society, you can collaborate with Akshaya Patra and support the leaders of tomorrow.

The Joy of Giving Week may end in a few days; however, let us continue to support society by giving. Get involved with Akshaya Patra and give to the future!

Akshaya Patra Celebrating 2 Billion Meals with President of India

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee joined Akshaya Patra in commemorating the organisation’s milestone of having served 2 Billion Meals. During the splendid event held on August 27, 2016, the Honourable President unveiled the Akshaya Patra 2 Billion Meals art-installation which symbolises the landmark and also distributed sweets among beneficiary children. The event which was followed by dinner witnessed the President, in a humble gesture, serving meals to beneficiary children.

For photos visit, 2 Billion Meals event photos

The evening where President of India visited Akshaya Patra had prominent leaders sharing a message on the Foundation’s vision and mission, the impact and future plans. The dignitaries and eminent political figures included Shri Prakash Javadekar, Honourable Union Minister of Human Resource Development; Shri Siddaramaiah, Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka; Shri Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Honourable Governor of Karnataka; Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Member of Parliament; Shri BN Manjunath Reddy, Worshipful Mayor of Bengaluru; Shri Gopalaiah K, Member of Legislative Assembly – Mahalakshmi Layout Constituency; and Mrs Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation.

To watch the videos visit, 2 Billion Meals event videos

The event was presided by Akshaya Patra’s officials – Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman; Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman; and Shri Mohandas Pai, Independent Trustee. The compère for the evening, Mrs Vasanthi Hariprakash, a renowed anchor and a media strategist, directed the event gracefully.

For 2 Billion Meals media coverage, press coverage and press release, visit Akshaya Patra’s 2 billion meals commemoration.

10 Healthy Eating Habits for Children by Akshaya Patra

National Nutrition Week has ended on the 2nd week of September. Before we can wrap up our series on Nutrition, we would like to talk about ten healthy eating habits that must be inculcated among children.

Dictionaries define nutrition as “the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.” Unfortunately obtaining food for health and nutrition worldwide has proved to be tougher challenge than it was perceived. Providing healthy food for children is a concern that transcends geographical boundaries. Fresh and healthy food is a basic right of every child, and there is a need to make sure that they get it every day.

1. Balanced diet 

Children need to be taught early that nothing is tastier than a complete nutritious meal. One of the objectives of mid-day meal at Akshaya Patra is to provide a balanced diet to the children as a healthy eating habit.

2. Praying before eating

We count it as a healthy eating habit. Akshaya Patra wishes to educate children apart from feeding them. One of our practices is to ensure that the children say their prayers before starting to eat food. This helps them realise the value of food and that they should be thankful to the Almighty for providing them with food.

3. Eating together 

Families must eat together at home and friends must have lunch together at school. There’s nothing more joyous than enjoying a great meal together, discussing about taste and favourite foods. At Akshaya Patra, eating together fulfills our objective of supplying mid-day meal in a healthy environment. 

4. Eating slowly

It’s vital to have the habit of eating slowly as it helps in controlling weight. This ensures that they chew their food properly leading to better digestion. Eating fast causes obesity. Studies have shown that nearly 60 percent of overweight children aged 5 to 17 had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 25 percent had two or more. Also, obese kids have an 80 percent chance of staying obese their entire lives.

5. Attractive foods

Another healthy eating habit is to include colourful foods, vegetables and fruits in children’s meals. This encourages children to enjoy food and look forward to meals.  At Akshaya Patra, we prepare a variety of food for children to ensure that they really enjoy the experience of having mid-day meal at school.

6. Water instead of concentrated drinks 

In modern day meals, we have got into the habit of consuming concentrated juices or cold drinks or soda instead of water. While fresh juices do have some merit, most preserved juices have more calories than we know.  But water should be the choice during meals for children since it boosts immune system and digestion. 

7. Learning when to stop

Another healthy food habit is knowing when your stomach is full. Toddlers and younger kids find it hard to understand the signals that their stomach sends to their brain. Children should be taught signs of fullness clearly from the time they learn to eat their own food. 

8. Healthier snacks 

Today, there are several varieties of snacks available for children, many of which are not healthy. Snacks such as fried foods, packaged foods, noodles, potato chips etc are readily available but are far from healthy. As a healthy eating habit, children must be taught to consume fruits, juices, nuts etc. as alternative snacks. 

9. Less sugar and salt 

At Akshaya Patra, the amount of sugar and sweets is an important parameter of a nutritious diet. While we always send extra salts with our transport vans, we teach the children to avoid using too much salt and sugar in their meals. Salt and sugar are the leading causes of heart-related diseases as adults and must be cut down right from the childhood.  

10. Discouraging eating meals before TV 

Eating dinner or lunch before television is a common practice among modern families. However, this kills the joy of eating and distracts children from truly savouring their meals. Children often complain of hunger afterwards if they have consumed their meals while watching TV. 

There are millions of children still who don’t get healthy food. They need to be reached and fed. We encourage you to donate to NGO towards unlimited food for education so that we are able to take our mid-day meals to more and more children.