A tiny thought can plant seeds for a million dreams. The thought “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger” led to the beginning of The Akshaya Patra Foundation in 2000. It started feeding 1,500 children in five Government schools of Bengaluru, Karnataka. On identifying a strong relationship between food and education, the Foundation extended its service to provide mid-day meals to children in other states as well. By providing unlimited food for education of children, it gained national and international recognition to become the world’s largest NGO-run school lunch programme.

The NGO in India has completed 20 years of becoming an implementer of the Mid-Day Meal Programme. During these years, it has supported the feeding of 1.8 million children studying in 19,039 Government and Government-aided schools of India. The Foundation is spread across 52 locations in 12 States and 2 Union Territories of India and feeds wholesome meals to mid-day meal beneficiaries. When a disaster strikes the nation, the Foundation has always provided food-assistance to victims of the catastrophe.

In the last 20 years, Akshaya Patra has worked on a public-private partnership basis, which includes partnership with The Government of India, State Governments, corporate partners and millions of individual donors. On every single day hot, nutritious, locally palatable meals are provided to children. The NGO in India has received appreciation for its mid-day meal service in India.

Akshaya Patra’s 20 Year Journey

20th Anniversary celebration amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Normal life was affected; labourers and daily-wage workers lost their job. Akshaya Patra joined hands with the Government of India and started the COVID-19 Relief Service. As a part of this programme, cooked meals and grocery kits were distributed to the needy people of India and their families. It has served a cumulative of 10-crore meals amid the crisis.

Here is a glimpse of Akshaya Patra’s service over the years  –

Also, schools were shut and mid-day meal beneficiaries were bereaved of wholesome meals that were probably the only healthy meal they consumed in a day. To continue its core service towards school children, the organisation initiated the Happiness Kits Programme. Every Happiness Kit supports the nutritional, hygiene and educational aspects of children.
To know what goes into the Happiness Kit, click here.

You can donate online as a part of Akshaya Patra’s 20th Anniversary to help children get nurtured and nourished. All your support will help them gain food, education and a healthy future.

The morning air felt fresher and newer on 15th August 1947. It was the first day that India was independent, after decades of being suppressed under the rule of the British Government. This day is celebrated as Independence Day throughout the country with great patriotism and joy. On this day, the Prime Minister of India hoists the flag at Red Fort. Honouring all the freedom fighters on this day, August 15th is declared as a national holiday in India. However, government offices, schools and colleges function for 2-3 hours to celebrate this day with great enthusiasm. The national flag is unfurled in the premises, followed by the singing of the national anthem, nationalistic songs and dance performance of children on patriotic numbers.

History of Independence Day
The British Government wanted to end its rule in India in June 1948. But, due to the huge loss of capital and revenue, it was rescheduled by a year to 1947. After Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech on the midnight of 14th August 1947, India was a free nation.

After 74 years of its freedom, India still remembers its fighters and pays a tribute to the young people who fought then. Young people build the nation for a better tomorrow. Today, India is the second-largest country with a large and young labour force.

According to Morgan Stanley, India’s millennial working-age group aged between 18 and 35 years is larger than China’s.

Adding to this number, children will further add to the working group when they get the right amount of education that will direct them to reach their goals. In order to encourage more children to study and complete their education, the Government of India initiated the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. According to this programme, free meals would be provided to all the children studying in Government and Government-aided schools. India runs the largest mid-day meal programme and many NGOs in India implement the Mid-Day Meal Programme.

In order to improve the nutritional status of children, The Akshaya Patra Foundation started feeding school meals to children and is one of the pioneer mid-day meal NGOs in India. Akshaya Patra is recognised as the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programme feeding unlimited school meals for education to children who hail from challenging socio-economic backgrounds.

But, schools are not open yet. Then what is Akshaya Patra doing now?
In the time of the pandemic, since schools haven’t re-opened yet, Akshaya Patra began its COVID-19 relief services on 25th March 2020 to feed the migrant communities in India. Along with providing freshly cooked meals and grocery kits to the needy people, Akshaya Patra is distributing Happiness Box to all its beneficiary students who would have otherwise attended school regularly.

This Independence Day, don’t let the virus take away your festive spirit. Whether the virus stays or not, our patriotism persists. Help children feel the freedom of education even amidst the ongoing crisis. Provide Happiness Box to them to support their nutrition, immunity, hygiene and education. Only if children get the right nutrition, they will grow up to become healthy young adults and make their presence felt in this world.

Support the youngsters of tomorrow grow from childhood to adulthood in a healthy manner. Donate Happiness Boxes now!