Excerpts from an interview with Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa:, Chairman of World’s largest NGO run School Meal Program, Akshaya Patra.

Question: Why the name Askhaya Patra to the mid-day meal program?

Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa: The divine vessel ‘Akshaya Patra’ of Mahabharata symbolizes unlimited portions that can feed countless mouths. But this ‘vessel’ sought a few willing human hearts, minds and hands to feed ONE MILLION everyday.

Question: To whom all do you attribute this success of feeding one million everyday?

Question: Why the name Askhaya Patra to the mid-day meal program? Cooks, cleaners, drivers, guards, supervisors, managers, donors, government authorities, advisors, board members and missionaries were all inspired and activated to make this possible.

Question: What really motivated you to initiate and make this movement so successful?
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa: When we began we had not the slightest idea of this scale. But someone was watching within all of us and noted our wanting to do more and more and willing to battle everyday to beat the hurdles. He kept opening new paths , kept fanning our spirits , pushed us bit by bit up the scale of feeding more and more children month after month and year after year .

As His grace fell on a million children, we were graced with great lessons too. That, big things can be done when what is to be done is greater than all of us and that God helps those who help themselves, especially to help others beyond themselves. He gave that extra direction, that extra support, that extra determination and fanned the spark of desire to feed a blazing ONE MILLION! He took us that extra distance we never conceived of when we started. And He rewarded our humble efforts by fulfilling our ever growing dream. Blessed are we who could experience this.

Question: How do you think this movement will bear an effect on the society?

Question: Why the name Askhaya Patra to the mid-day meal program? One thing is certain from this experience. Boundless compassion is waiting to explode into this world to lessen the suffering provided we involve more and more willing human hearts, minds and hands to deliver His blessings upon many more millions in the years to come. We are determined to seek out for more and more such willing people out in the world who do not know that many more millions mouths are waiting for the blessing to transform their lives. Their smiles will transform our lives too.

A pride that humbles us, yet spirits us to reach our next target of five million.

Founded in the year 2000 with just 5 schools and 1500 students in Bangalore, Karnataka, The Akshaya Patra Foundation today feeds 1.3 million hungry mouths at Government schools across 9 states and 21 locations in India. Thirteen years ago, the pioneers of this not-for-profit organisation probably did not know that their dream of reaching out to over a million children would become reality one day. Commenced as a pocket-sized initiative, over the past years, The Akshaya Patra Foundation today has been recognised with various accolades and awards. This is an account on why this organisation deserves the credits it has earned.

It is a challenging task to make such immense amounts of meals on a daily basis. But with ample support from the Government as well as individual and corporate donors, feeding 1.3 million children every day has become a possibility for The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

Equally important is the fact that the donors, well-wishers and knowledge enthusiasts of this organisation are informed about how their donations are utilised. Hence, another aspect given utmost priority in this NGO is transparency and accountability with regards to funds.

Recently, the Foundation was awarded for the fifth consecutive year with the Gold Shield by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the year 2012-2013. Akshaya Patra is by far the only not-for-profit entity to have gained entrance into the ICAI Hall of Fame since it won the Gold Shield for the fifth time.

The League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) also presented The Akshaya Patra Foundation with Gold Award for excellence in its industry in the development of the organisation’s Annual Report within the fiscal year 2012-2013. At the PRCI Global Communication Conclave 2014, the organisation was recognised with Corporate Collateral Award (Gold) in the Annual Reports category. This is only some of the much recognition earned by the Foundation.

The Annual Report of The Akshaya Patra Foundation contains a highly detailed account on its financials and their breakup recorded over that particular fiscal year. Right from the amount of funds gained through Grants from the Central and State Governments and donations, the report gives a complete account on the Foundation’s monetary management. Large amount of funds is required not only to erect massive centralised kitchen infrastructures, but also to maintain them. Since the centralised kitchens utilise customised equipment for most of their operations, it is quite a challenge to restore old ones with new or to fix equipment. Funds are also needed to train employees and kitchen staff to ensure rigorous hygiene and quality while cooking.

The constant and strict focus on transparency has always resulted in accolades and felicitation for Akshaya Patra. The Foundation’s Board currently comprises eight Trustees who hail from diverse professional backgrounds. This Board plays a primary role in ensuring the maintenance of an impeccable record of funds utilised while implementing the programme, since the Foundation follows a regular process of submitting Monthly Financials to the Board.

The Board of Trustees follows a systematic method of governance within the organisation. At The Akshaya Patra Foundation, there is a list of mandatory objectives or actions to be observed by each member of the Board, one of which is gathering for regular meetings.The versatility of these members brings out suggestions and opinions during these meetings that help better the functioning of the Foundation so as to aid in its outreach and expansion while maintaining financial transparency and reporting.

At The Akshaya Patra Foundation, we believe that getting nominated by the jury for all these awards itself is a level of recognition, while winning them is another. This constant acknowledgement and appreciation of our work has always motivated us to progress. We also believe that the relentless support from the Governments and donors, as well as testimonies from our beneficiaries is helping us approach our mission of reaching out to 5 million children by 2020.