We, at The Akshaya Patra Foundation strive towards providing mid-day meal to more than one million school children every day across India. A nutritious meal is prepared in our kitchens and is distributed in various Government schools. As a part of the employee engagement initiative, the Human Resource team of the Akshaya Patra arranged a school visit for the kitchen employees. This enterprise was taken up in order to weave a thread of connection between the kitchen staff and the school children.

The employees visited the Government Higher Primary School Uttarahalli in Bangalore. The children assembled for their morning prayer after the bell rang. They were all curious to know, as to who were the people standing in front of them. The Principal announced that they were none other than the Akshaya Patra employees. The announcement was met with excited cheers and claps. The children were elated to meet the staff. When the Principal asked, whether the students would like to visit the centralised kitchen, there was a loud “YES” – the roar of 1000 enthusiastic children.

There was an interactive session, during which the children were briefed about the nature of work of the kitchen employees. In their interaction the employees explained the importance of the mid-day meal to the children. As the employees and the children talked, there was applause, laughter, and a lot of smiles. The children also shared their thoughts on their favourite Akshaya Patra dish. The employees were glad to meet the children for whom they cook and they understood how their effort is making a huge difference in the lives of the children.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, whole heartedly welcomes Government declaration of coming up with a solution to address the problem of constantly declining child sex ratio in the country which is considered a serious problem.  It was declared on National Girl Child Day. Women and Child Development (WCD) Secretary Prem Narain said the Ministry is coming up with a national plan of action to improve child sex ratio through a concerted effort from most of ministries.

24 January is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year since 2008 by the Government of India. The primary objective of the National Girl Child Day is raising awareness and consciousness of the society towards the girl child. Akshaya Patra is also supporting towards achieving this objective.

Akshaya Patra is feeding school children to promote education.  It has brought down school drop-out rate and increased attendance in general, particularly the girl’s ratio. As the well known saying goes “If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family (nation).”Akshaya Patra is doing its part in providing equal access to women by feeding them in school. By providing mid-day meal the Foundation plays an important part in reducing the drop-out rates from school and attracting the students to stay in school.

In many cases parents are either not able to send their daughters to school or are forced to take them out of school in the absence of resources. Story of Jaithun, three sisters, Deepti and many other indicate towards the same where parents were motivated to send their daughters to school for a bright future and also due to the temptation that food served was very nutritious, filling and healthy.  All these stories had something in common and that is awareness and willingness of the parents to send their daughters to school. Meagre resources of parents were the only hindrance. This obstacle was removed by Akshaya Patra. Its one wholesome meal served to the children shaded off the burden of parents.

By doing so Akshaya Patra is aiding to build an atmosphere where education of girl child is considered equally important and they are given equal opportunity to rise up in life.  It is supporting the Government’s objective that girls are born, loved, nurtured and grow up to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights and opportunities.

Akshaya Patra is grateful to all the girls and the parents who are sending their daughters to school and contributing in preparing the society where gender ratio no longer remains a matter of concern and it is ensured that every girl child is respected and valued in society.

Source:  Zee News India