Karnataka celebrates its Rajyotsava on 1 November every year. It’s a day when the state stands tall, honouring its past, celebrating its present and embracing a promising future.

Karnataka Rajyotsava, also known as Kannada Rajyotsava, is a momentous day for the people of Karnataka in India. It is a day of great pride, unity and festivity. Celebrated on 1 November each year, Kannada Rajyotsava marks the day the state of Karnataka was formed. This day is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and the spirit of unity that defines this vibrant state.

Historical Significance
The history of Kannada Rajyotsava dates back to 1956 when the state was reorganised on a linguistic basis. The region had been under the rule of various dynasties and empires, including the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara and the British. On 1 November 1956, the Kannada-speaking regions of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, Hyderabad State and the Madras Presidency were merged to form the state of Mysore, which was later renamed Karnataka in 1973. This day was declared a state holiday and is now celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava.

Celebrations Across Schools
Kannada Rajyotsava is celebrated with great enthusiasm in schools across the state. The celebrations typically start with flag hoisting and the singing of the state anthem, “Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate.” Students are encouraged to wear traditional attire, reflecting the diverse and vibrant culture of Karnataka. Cultural programmes, including dance performances, dramas and traditional music, are organised to showcase the rich heritage of the state. Students often participate in various competitions like essay writing, drawing and elocution, focussing on Karnataka’s history and culture.

Akshaya Patra: Nourishing Karnataka’s Future
On this auspicious day, it’s crucial to recognise the contributions of organisations dedicated to the welfare of the state. One such notable entity is The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an NGO in Bengaluru that implements the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme). It plays a pivotal role in nourishing the future of Karnataka by providing mid-day meals (MDM) to school children. The eight centralised kitchens serve MDM to close to 3,51,381 underprivileged students of 3,188 schools across the state as a part of the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan. By doing so, it not only works to eradicate classroom hunger but also encourages children to attend school regularly, which is a crucial step towards a brighter future for Karnataka.

Hear the beneficiaries speak

No matter, which school a child studies in; no matter which caste s/he belongs to, Akshaya Patra ensures that every child gets the required amount of nutrition through mid-day meals. The celebrations in schools are a testament to the importance of instilling a sense of pride and belonging in the hearts of young Karnataka citizens.

As Karnataka celebrates its Rajyotsava, it not only marks its history but also the promise of a bright and prosperous future for this beautiful state. It’s a day when Karnataka stands tall, honouring its past, celebrating its present and embracing its promising future.

Your contribution further exemplifies the state’s dedication to the welfare and nourishment of its future generations.

Donate to Akshaya Patra this Kannada Rajyotsava and see the dreams of children come alive as they progress in their academics.

Hunger is a pressing issue affecting numerous countries across the globe, and India is no exception. With a population of over 1.3 billion people, India faces significant challenges in eradicating hunger and ensuring food security for all its citizens. However, amidst these challenges, there are organisations that are making a remarkable difference in fighting hunger, and one such organisation is The Akshaya Patra Foundation. This blog explores the prevailing issue of hunger in India and sheds light on the incredible contributions of Akshaya Patra in combating this crisis.

The State of Hunger in India

India, despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, struggles with hunger and malnutrition. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India is home to the largest undernourished population globally, with approximately 189.2 million people suffering from hunger. The situation becomes even more alarming when we consider the vulnerability of children, who are the most affected by this crisis. Lack of proper nutrition hampers their growth and development, affecting their physical and cognitive abilities, and ultimately hindering their chances of leading a productive life.

Akshaya Patra’s Mission

Akshaya Patra, established in the year 2000, is a non-profit organisation that strives to eliminate classroom hunger and improve the overall well-being of children in India. The Foundation operates on the belief that no child should be deprived of education due to hunger. Their core initiative involves providing nutritious mid-day meals to school children, with a dual aim of addressing hunger and increasing school attendance.

Contributions of The Akshaya Patra Foundation

Mid-Day Meal Programme: The flagship programme of The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the Mid-Day Meal Programme, which serves as a significant intervention to combat hunger and malnutrition among school-going children. The Foundation prepares and delivers freshly cooked, nutritious meals to government schools across India. Through this program, they not only provide sustenance to children but also help in increasing their concentration levels and overall academic performance.

Scale and reach: Akshaya Patra’s operations are truly impressive, with a robust infrastructure that enables them to prepare and deliver millions of meals every day. They leverage state-of-the-art kitchens, adhering to stringent quality and hygiene standards. With a network of centralised and decentralised kitchens, the Foundation serves meals to schools in urban and rural areas, ensuring that children across the country have access to nutritious food.

Empowering women: The Foundation’s initiatives also focus on empowering women through collaboration and employment. By employing local women as cooks and kitchen staff, Akshaya Patra creates employment opportunities and promotes gender equality. This not only helps in community development but also enables the Foundation to sustain its operations efficiently.

Disaster relief: In times of crisis such as natural disasters or emergencies, Akshaya Patra extends its support by providing meals to affected communities. They have been instrumental in offering food relief during floods, earthquakes and other calamities, thereby ensuring that the affected populations have access to essential sustenance.

Feed to defeat hunger

You can help NGOs in India like Akshaya Patra achieve their mission by contributing towards their programmes. You can donate or volunteer with the NGO to weave the fabric of positive change in the world.