In more than 23,000 schools across India, classrooms stay lively because every child sits nourished and eager to learn. 2025 was a year of growing together to feed more and make a greater impact. We witnessed many more hunger warriors joining our cause and it is because of their generosity that every child received meals every day without fail.

This growing support and the smile of 2.35 million children are the ultimate testament to the trust placed in us.

Akshaya Patra’s Recap 2025

Committed to a purpose of making lives better with nutritious meals, 2025 brought us significant milestones:

• Celebrated 25 years of service

On 11 November 2025, Akshaya Patra marked its 25th anniversary of feeding children. On this day, we commemorated our journey that started in 2000 with 1,500 children in five schools in Bengaluru, which has now grown to serve mid-day meals to 2.35 million children across 16 states and 3 UTs. In 2025 alone, we served 480 million mid-day meals and 120 million morning nutrition servings.

• Inaugurated the first centralised kitchen in Goa

In March this year, Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, inaugurated our 78th kitchen and the first one in Goa. It has the capacity to prepare up to 5,000 meals. Like in other states, we serve meals adhering to the local palate, such as chapatis, batata bhaji, vatana bhaji, vegetable korma, idli, sambar, soya chunks, mixed-veg pulav, etc.

• First centralised kitchen in Bihar

Akshaya Patra is gearing up to begin its journey in Bihar. In June, the Bhoomi Pujan of the Foundation’s first centralised kitchen in Bihar was held. Sunil Kumar, the Honourable Minister of Education, laid the foundation stone of the facility, which is expected to improve attendance and nutritional status of thousands of children across Patna district through MDM.

• Bhavnagar kitchen is fully powered by solar.

With 93.9 kW solar capacity installed, the Bhavnagar kitchen in Gujarat is now operates entirely on solar power. This not only eliminates the electric bill of the kitchen but also reduces the carbon footprint, a significant milestone in our efforts to protect the greener future that the community we serve deserves.

• Delhi kitchen delivery fleet is fully electric

The meal delivery fleet across Delhi has become fully electric, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is another testament to our sustainable operations under the MDM initiative.

• Featured in prestigious Forbes Magazine

Akshaya Patra has featured in Forbes, the magazine that sets a benchmark for organisational excellence. The article describes Akshaya Patra’s journey, the hurdles we face and the vision they looking forward to achieving.

Awards Received:

• NGO Leadership Award – National Awards for Excellence
• Best CSR Impact Maker of the Year in CSR Health System Strengthening Project – 9th CSR Health Impact Awards
• Food Safety Culture Award 2025 – India Food Safety Conclave (IFSC) at the Bangalore International Centre
• Best Civil Society Organisation Award – 11th Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability

Fundraising Charity Events

• Golf for Good Charity Tournament
The funds pooled through the charity tournament supported 1,400 children’s mid-day meals for an entire academic year.

• Music for Meals – Agam
Carnatic progressive music band, Agam, joined a charity concert that helped us strengthen our MDM efforts.

Feeding Humanity

A glimpse of our servings during times of devotion and crisis:

• Maha Kumbh Feeding
Served over 10,36,230 meals to the devotees at the Maha Kumbh

• Disaster Relief Feeding
– Served meals to flood–affected people in Solapur (Maharashtra), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh) and Badarpur (Assam).
– Provided food support to residents in Dehradun & Chamoli during landslide
– Distributed grocery kits to displaced families in Jammu & Kashmir during cross-border escalations

Story of Hope

Behind every mid-day meal is a dream waiting to sprout

Looking ahead

A mother never says no when her child is hungry. Like a mother who never lets her child go hungry, we strive to ensure that ‘No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.’

Though we can’t match a mother’s meals, your support can help us come close. Help us feed children like mothers do. Donate Now.

Every year, we observe Pitru Paksha to honour our ancestors and pray for their peaceful afterlife.  This year it commences on 7 September. On this auspicious occasion, crores of people pay tribute, perform kind acts to express gratitude to ancestors for their contributions in their lives.   

Pitru Paksha – Origin and its Significance 

The significance of Pitru Paksha has its roots in ancient times. One of the renowned references can be found in the story of Karna in the Mahabharata. After his death in the battle of Kurukshetra, he went to heaven. His soul was hungry and when he asked for food, he was only offered gold and jewels. When Karna asked the reason behind this, Yama, the God of death, informed him that while he has given a lot of gold and wealth to poor people, he had never offered Tarpan to his ancestors.  

Lord Yama told him that one can only receive what he has given to others or what their descendants offered in their name. Since he lost all his sons in the war, there was no one to perform these rites for him. Karna asked Lord Yama to allow him to go back to Earth to perform his duties to his ancestors. Yama granted him 15 days on Earth to offer food and water to his ancestors. This period is known as Pitru Paksha.  

Rituals and Ancestors’ Blessings 

Pitru Paksha culminates with Mahalaya Amavasya. On this day, people perform Shradh Puja to bring peace to the departed souls.  The key rituals include:  

• Tarpan – An offering of water mixed with sesame, barley and darbha grass, which is believed to quench the thirst of the ancestors.  

• Pind Daan – A ball made of cooked rice or barley with sesame seeds, honey and ghee. The word Pind means body and Daan means charity. The Pind symbolises the physical form of the deceased. 

Through Shradh Puja, families perform these rituals to honour ancestors and to aid their journey toward peace. The rituals usually conclude with acts of charity, showing gratitude towards ancestors. One way to do this is by feeding those in need. 

Feed Children. Support Akshaya Patra 

Feeding others is the biggest tribute you can give to your ancestors. This Pitru Paksha, you can honour your ancestors by supporting Akshaya Patra’s efforts to serve mid-day meals to 2.33 million children across India. With a network of kitchens in 78 locations across 16 states and 3 UTs, we nourish both children and their dreams. 

By making a Pitru Paksha donation, you can 

• Meet their nutritional needs 

• Keep children in schools 

• Improve their concentration 

• Empower children from marginalised communities 

When you feed children, you are not only pleasing the past generation with your generosity but also building a better future.  

Your Pitru Paksha Donation can Make an Impact 

Nourish a child in honour. As you offer Tarpan, secure a child’s future with the promise of mid-day meals. On this day, let’s bond together for a cause whose impact lasts for a lifetime.  

Support our vision – No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.  

₹1,500 feeds a child for an academic year 

DONATE NOW