A dream started with a simple vision – to bring smiles and spread joy among children. Did you know that nourishing meals can work this magic? Today, that dream has evolved into a nationwide movement, ensuring nourishment and education. Akshaya Patra has proudly reached the milestone of serving 5 billion meals!

From 1,500 Children to 2.35 Million: Our Journey of Growth

In 2000, our journey began by serving mid-day meals to 1,500 children in five schools in Bengaluru. Today, Akshaya Patra has become one of the most trusted NGOs in India, serving over 2.35 million children in 16 states and 3 UTs. Through a network of kitchens equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, we meticulously prepare hot, nutritious meals and deliver them to children in more than 23,000 schools across the country.

The use of large, specialised equipment, such as cauldrons, rice chutes and the introduction of roti-making machines in 2002 marked a significant technological innovation in the Mid-Day Meal Programme, improving efficiency while ensuring consistency and quality.

These tireless efforts that continue for more than two decades reached serving 5 billion meals and is commemorated on 17 March 2026 by Droupadi Murmu, The Honourable President of India, along with Dharmendra Pradhan, The Honourable Minister of Education at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Why Mid-Day Meals Matter?

Various studies have proved that MDM plays a crucial role in improving child nutrition, enrolment, attendance and academic performance. In many Indian households, having three square meals a day is still a challenge. Mid-day meals are one of the main reasons why many children come to school every day. For them, these meals are the primary or maybe the only source of daily nutrition.

We have been fortunate to witness many of them building their future, because meals have played a vital role in pursuing their studies. When daily nourishment is ensured at schools, parents send their children to school, which in turn helps them continue their education. So, just one meal can be the reason a child breaks the cycle of poverty that circles in a family, generation after generation.

Child’s Taste Preferences are Crucial for MDM Success

In India, culinary diversity is vast, and so are the taste preferences of the children we serve. What a child eats in the North is different from those in the South and East. Keeping this diversity in mind, menus are designed, thoughtfully prepared, adhering to the local palate and meeting the Government’s nutritional guidelines. While children in the South are served rice-based dishes like sambar and rasam, those in the North receive rotis, dal, and other local staple foods.

Significant Milestones in our Journey

2000 – Begins with feeding 1,500 children in 5 schools in Bengaluru
2003 – Becomes the first NGO to be part of a Public-Private Partnership in the School Feeding Programme
2009 – Celebrates our first milestone of serving 500 million cumulative meals
2012 – 1 Billion cumulative meals
2016 – 2 billion cumulative meals, commemorated by then President, Pranab Mukherjee
2018 – Received National Award for Child Welfare from Ram Nath Kovind, the Former President of India
2019 – 3 billion cumulative meals in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi
2024 – 4 billion cumulative meals commemorated at UN Headquarters, New York
2026 – 5 Billion cumulative meals at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi

Support our Cause. Make an Online Donation

If you wish to join this hunger-warrior tribe, make an online donation today. Your contribution helps us serve nutritious mid-day meals to children. Together, let’s walk towards the vision – No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.

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