On an early Sunday morning (the morning of 23rd May 2010), when every sensible human being is supposed to be snuggled in bed and fast sleep, many industrious souls of Bangalore gathered with uncontained excitement for an event that took the metropolitan by storm. The City’s reputed Sunfeast World 10K Marathon kicked off this year with even more gusto than was anticipated. The only one of its kind in Bangalore, this year the marathon had over 18 000 participants who ran in the event.

Starting from the famed Canteerva stadium and winding through the most beautiful streets of the city, the race was a traffic-stopping thrill that left many Bangloreans wishing for more.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation also took part in the race. We made up some of those industrious souls, running through the Indian summer in our Aksahay Patra T-shirts, waving our banners with merry determination and unfailing team spirit.

“Food for Education!!” we cheered.

While most of the team took part in the 5.7 km ‘Majja’ Run however, one brave member of our staff, Saumya, ran the ‘Open 10K’ race. Inspired by the strength of the people around him, he completed the entire 10 km.

“There was one point when it was really difficult to continue, I thought I would give up. But you know what happened? A total stranger came up to me and said ‘keep running, don’t give up on the cause’. After I heard that, I couldn’t stop. He overtook me, that’s another thing…”

‘Keep running, don’t give up on the cause’

With such simple words the stranger captured the sprit of our donors and well-wishers. They have supported us through our most difficult times and encouraged us to keep running. We dedicate this article to all the thousands of people who have stood by us through the years.

It is YOUR hard work and strength that has helped 1.2 million children across India. It is YOU who have made us what we are today. And for that, we thank you.

Rajasthan, the nation’s largest state, has long been considered one of India’s brightest jewels. Adorned with a rich, vibrant cultural history and beautiful landscape, it is one of the most favored tourist destinations of the country. With parts of the Indus Valley Civilization located in Rajasthan, it is considered the cradle of India’s birth.

However, Rajasthan’s glorious past is in stark contrast to the reality it faces today. The state is continually hit with severe drought that cripples the thousands of people in the region who survive on agriculture. In fact, in the last 100 years, it has been hit with 84 droughts.

This year again, the Government of Rajasthan has declared ‘Akal’ or drought in the Nathdwara district of the state. In October of 2002 when it last faced such a situation, nearly 40 million people were affected and 50 million livestock suffered. With so many severe situations constantly recurring, the State Government of Rajasthan has taken various steps to bring relief to the area. It is working with the United Nations Development Program to strengthen its co-ordination systems and revive traditional water harvesting structures. Many other organizations are also involved in Rajasthan’s efforts to combat the problems being faced.

Akshaya Patra is one such organization. On the request of the State Government of Rajasthan, our kitchen in Nathdwara is now functioning around the year to provide food for drought-affected children in the area. By doing so, we hope to bring relief and provide any help we can to the beautiful and charming people of Rajasthan.

Source: United Nations Development Program