Rajasthan is the seventh most populous and one of the top five states in the country with the youngest population. However, the educational performance of Rajasthan is not on par with the national average of reading, mathematics and other subjects. There can be many reasons for this including socio-economic circumstances, infrastructure challenges, sanitary amenities, lack of access to food and other such basic needs, etc. Each of these is a serious threat to children’s fundamental rights: nutrition and education.

Impact of PM POSHAN Abhiyaan

PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (Mid-Day Meal or MDM Programme) is an initiative by the Government of India to tackle childhood hunger and malnutrition by serving hot, nutritious meals to schoolchildren in the country. By partnering with NGOs, the government enhances the effectiveness of the programme to achieve the desired goal.

Akshaya Patra’s Efforts to Bring the Change

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO in Rajasthan, works as an implementing partner of the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (Mid-Day Meal Programme) to assist the government in empowering children by securing their education through the assurance of mid-day meals. The organisation established its first kitchen in Jaipur in 2004 and currently operates in 10 locations.

Decentralised Model

In Baran, we are operating a decentralised model kitchen, as it is challenging to build a centralised one there due to geographic and infrastructure issues. The cooking process is done by women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the guidance of Akshaya Patra. By following this method, we strive not to miss out on children in difficult terrains.

In sum, the organisation is serving 2,53,210 children in 3,367 schools every day providing them nutritious and hygienic mid-day meals to support their health and education.

Akshaya Patra Menu in Rajasthan

Akshaya Patra currently serves mid-day meals in 16 states and 2 UTs in the country. Serving meals while adhering to the local palate is always a priority for the NGO. In Rajasthan, Akshaya Patra follows the menu below.

Serve Dreams. Witness Hope

Continue the legacy of the land of heroic warriors by being a hunger warrior! Donate to charity to alleviate classroom hunger. Your contribution helps children to pursue their dreams and live better lives.

Relive the days of your childhood. During this season, recollect the beautiful rangolis that would decorate the entrance of our homes; remember competing with your friends in the neighbourhood, to check whose kites flew higher in the sky? The whiff of mixed smells of sweet, sour and snacks would leave us drooling for the feast.

During the times of our ancestors, farmers tilled their land, sowed seeds, watered the plants and then harvested the fully-grown crops. This would provide a great amount of yield and some quantity of the fresh yield would be used to cook meals at farmers’ homes. It was the harvest of a new season, which meant the beginning of New Year! This also was the time of joy and celebration!

Makar Sankranti is celebrated across different states of India and is known by various names – Suggi, Pongal, Magha Saaji, Lohri, Uttarayan, Magh Bihu and many more.

Let us celebrate this season by sharing our happiness with children who come from challenging backgrounds. The age-old tradition of giving is still prevalent across all parts of India. So, this season, carry the tradition forward. Expand the warmth of this season to children who need it. Donate, because tiny hearts should eat nutritious food to grow.

How can you make a difference?
Celebrate this Makar Sankranti with 1.8 million beneficiaries of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. This NGO in India feeds children with mid-day meals on all school days of the year thereby progressing towards its vision “No child shall be deprived of education because of hunger”.

Akshaya Patra has concentrated all its efforts into providing mid-day meals to school children on every day of school. It aims at providing wholesome and healthy food so that school children get the right amount of nutrition required for their overall development. As of today, it is present across 12 States and 2 Union Territories of India. It has 51 kitchens that serve freshly cooked, locally palatable wholesome meals to 1.8 million children.

Akshaya Patra is a registered NGO, so all your generous contributions towards school meals of children qualify as tax deductible donations under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Let this harvest season bring in joy to children’s lives like the way kites brought joys into ours.

May this year’s harvest be served on the plates of children!
Soar above the rest with your donations!