Children embody all that is good and noble about mankind. For a nation to make significant strides, it is imperative that its children are well-educated and well-nourished.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, through its mid-day meal programme for school children, has ensured that millions of children across India are provided with healthy, wholesome mid-day meals, so that children do not drop out of school due to hunger. Recently, the Foundation, which feeds over 1.6 million children across 10 states in India in 13,210 schools, celebrated having served 2 billion meals since its inception, in the presence of Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Honourable President of India.

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Akshaya Patra’s journey too had humble beginnings in the year 2000, when the organisation started serving mid-day meals to 1,500 children in five schools in Bengaluru. In the years since, the Foundation, in partnership with state and central governments and with the help of generous benefactors, established its presence across the country. It now provides nutritious mid-day meals, cooked in its centralised and decentralised kitchens under extremely hygienic conditions, to school children in 10 states in India – Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

Throughout the years, Akshaya Patra has shown much innovation and has been the topic of numerous case studies. Its state-of-the-art kitchens, many of which are ISO-certified, have also been covered as part of lengthy documentaries by the international media. The year 2012 was a very special one for Akshaya Patra, as it served its 1 billionth meal and was ranked 23rd among the top 100 NGOs in the world, by The Global Journal. In just four years since, the Foundation has reached yet another significant milestone of serving 2 billion meals. The organisation has its goal of feeding 5 million children by 2020 firmly in sight, as it pursues to expand its presence across the country. To view images of President of India commemorating 2 billion meals, click here.

Akshaya Nidhi is a for-profit organization in the aid of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. It provides lunch to workers employed by the industrial and corporate sector at a modest price. Recently, they paired with IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) to offer travelers the option of ordering a meal that will aid The Akshaya Patra Foundation on their mission to feed 5 million children in India by 2020.

On June 29, 2016, the Shiva family was the first to order the meals. The Shiva family, originally from Chennai but now living in the United States, was on a trip to Puttaparthi. The vegetarian meals that the family enjoyed on their trip included: Curd Rice, Tomato Bath (Tomato Rice) and Chutney, Chapati and Sabji (vegetables), and Bisi Bele Bath and Boondi. Shiva’s daughter exclaimed that the food, “Tastes good!”

This new meal option will allow travelers to contribute to a good cause when booking their train itineraries. Currently, Akshaya Nidhi meals are only being served at Bangalore City Junction. The vegetarian menu includes: Curd Rice and Pickle, Puliyogare and Curd, Chapati and Sabji (vegetables), Bisi Bele Bath and Boondi, Tomato Bath (Tomato Rice) and Chutney, and Pulao and Raita. Prices range from Rs 70 to 90 with a minimum order amount of Rs 60.

These were the first meals served by The Akshaya Nidhi Foundation and hopefully just the first of many to come.