‘Cchhiva prachaad’, he said when asked what his name was. The young 5-year-old, who almost crept out of being a toddler, rushed towards his head-mistress who was distributing prizes to winners of the drawing competition. It was more than amusement for these kids in the Bhovipalya Government Primary school. A group of enthusiasts from ANZ operations and technologies Pvt Ltd, eager to contribute their bit towards a social cause, had decided to visit the Akshaya Patra family.

Amazed by the technology and operational efficiency practiced in the HK hill kitchen, they planned to extend their exercise by visiting a school. The little ones had a smile which couldn’t get wider. They played, they painted while some did the song and dance act. About 80 primary school children, most of them who come from a neighboring slum, had not even dreamt about their day turning out to be fun-filled, when they left for school in the morning. ANZ is one among several other corporate who have been associated and supported Akshaya Patra… The volunteers of ANZ had come up with the idea of arranging a drawing competition. The kids drew brown mountains and blue skies where most of their dreams reach to. Some drew the tri-color marking their respect to our wonderful nation. Some drew a happy family which most belong to. Shiva Prasad was one of the winners. So was Mahesh who was applauded like a hero when he went to receive his price. Several others also had their luck that day.

As the price distribution came to an end we suddenly realized it was time for lunch. What more can the kids ask for- An eventful day and Akshaya Patra meals to top it all. Many were almost put under (mesmerized) by the aroma of hot piping sambhar. The hungry children grabbed their plates and waited in a queue to be served by their corporate volunteers.

They munched on while it brought a smile on Anil’s face. Anil who works in the Financial operations of ANZ had his personal bliss as he mingled with the kids. He had always heard about Akshaya Patra Foundation as the world’s largest NGO run school mid-day-meal programme. It was an out-of the-world experience for him to know more about how the foundation is so efficient and organized to feed about 1.2 million children everyday.

Anil’s friend Pramod even shared some lunch with one of the kids. For a couple of them, who spend most of their time in front of a computer or on the phone, it was an amazing experience to witness children eat a wholesome meal. A few others from ANZ were stunned by the capacity and efficiency of our kitchen. “It was amazing to see rice and sambhar being prepared in such huge cauldrons” said Tilak. Swarah who was awestruck with Akshaya Patra’s reach said “Akshaya Patra has been carrying on with this noble cause for about a decade now and it is nice to know that such organizations are contributing in a considerable way to help children get education”. Before they bid adieu, the team from ANZ promised to come back again with a bigger plan.

Excerpts from an interview with Mr. V. Gopalratnam, VP IT and CIO Cisco India regarding Cisco’s association with Akshaypatra.

Mr. V. Gopalratnam heads the Civic Council at Cisco India and it is under his leadership that the Cisco India community is working on social initiatives focused on strengthening communities and having a positive impact on them.

Q) How has CISCO involved/associated with Akshayapatra?
A) Cisco partners with Akshaypatra for the Global Hunger Relief campaign. The Global Hunger Relief campaign was launched in 2001 by Cisco globally. Every year since then, Cisco has united to provide donations to the world’s best hunger relief organisations. In India, our exclusive partner is Akshaypatra. Our focus is on the Feed a Child program for government school children – run by Akshaypatra. We raise funds for them so they can continue their Mid Day Meals feeding program in government schools across Karnataka.

In this way, Cisco is indirectly having a positive impact on children’s education – as this program acts as a great incentive for under-privileged kids to attend school.

In Cisco, the Global Hunger relief campaign runs every year in months of November and December – globally, where employees and teams are encouraged to contribute toward charity. Each employee contribution is matched by Cisco Foundation as well as the John Morgridge Foundation (John Morgridge is Cisco’s Chairman of the Board Emeritus) – affectively tripling the amount of money that is contributed to the chosen charities.

Q) How long has been the association?

A) Cisco’s association with Akshaypatra has been consistent for 3 yrs, since 2007.

In the first year, Cisco employees contributed enough funds to feed 10,000 children in government schools for an entire year, in the second year we contributed toward feeding 20,000 school children and for the current year we are being able to feed 30,000 school children through Akshaypatra’s Mid Day Meals program.

Q) What kind of funding has been provided by CISCO to the organisation? As in, has CISCO helped with providing transportation/ machinery etc to the institution?

A) In 2007/08, Cisco employees contributed enough funds to feed 10,000 children in government schools for an entire year, in 2008/09 we contributed toward feeding 20,000 school children and for the current year we are being able to feed 30,000 school children through Akshaypatra’s Mid Day Meals program. Cisco’s efforts with Akshaypatra is focused on sponsoring the Feed a Child program also known as the Mid Day Meals program in government schools. In some cases, the government schools that we want to sponsor are actually identified by Cisco, but the bulk of the schools are Akshaypatra associated.

Q) What kind of programmes has CISCO and Akshayapatra jointly executed for the children?

A) Our focus is on the Feed a Child program for government school children – run by Akshaypatra, also known as the Mid Day Meals Program.

We also involve Akshaypatra in our own efforts – led by Cisco volunteers. Last year our volunteers identified 6 schools around the Cisco campus area, here in Bangalore. We conducted summer camps in these government schools, teaching basic hygiene and health related subjects. We provided mid day meals during the summer vacations when the schools were not in session – and this was done in association with Akshaypatra.

This year we will also feed school kids in government schools based in Raichur district, which is the area affected by devastating floods – in association with Akshaypatra. At this point, this project – called Project Samudaya- is a work in progress with the organization.

Q) Has CISCO helped with provide educational support to the children who come to the NGO?

A) Cisco volunteers work in the health and education areas for the underprivileged where we conducted summer camps in these government schools, teaching basic hygiene and health related subjects. We also involve Akshaypatra in these efforts – led by Cisco volunteers. Last year our volunteers identified 6 schools around the Cisco campus area, here in Bangalore. We provided mid day meals during the summer vacations when the schools were not in session – and this was done in association with Akshaypatra.

This year we will also feed school kids in government schools based in Raichur district, which is the area affected by devastating floods – in association with Akshaypatra. At this point, this project is a work in progress with the organization.

Q) What are the future plans with Akshayapatra?

A) With Akshaypatra, we hope to have a long term association. We will continue to support them as a part of Cisco’s Global Hunger Relief Program.

We are now working with Akshaypatra on a Cisco project, called Project Samudaya. These philanthropic efforts are aimed toward the flood affected areas of Northern Karnataka – specifically Raichur district. Cisco has committed $10 million toward rehabilitating 4 villages in that area. We are working with Akshaypatra to feed school kids in government schools based in Raichur district.

Q) Has CISCO collaborated with the NGO outside Karnataka?

A) Cisco has made many efforts in collaborating – through technology, and otherwise – for philanthropic reasons with NGOs and educational institutions across India.

Firstly – as an initiative of the India Civic Council, Cisco has a technology oriented program with educational institutions – the Cisco Networking Academy program – created for deserving and under privileged students. The whole technology setup has been donated by Cisco to the education institutions. The basic curriculum of this program is free of cost. It is currently being offered in 24 states and 107 tier 3 cities across India.

Next – Cisco has an MoU with the Government of Rajasthan for the Cisco Networking Academy initiative for marginalized students below the poverty line.

Next – Cisco has a technology initiative with a global NGO – One World, with presence in New Delhi. Cisco has donated a solution based on Cisco Unified Communications technology for rural areas. The service provides information to local farmers and population regarding agriculture and life-stock queries. The local population can come to the UC equipment powered centers to seek answers from subject matter experts across the country. This service is provided by One World Inc. in local languages and is currently available across 4 states in India.

Next – Cisco is actively involved with NGOs by providing technology solutions in Andhra Pradesh to the Dr. Reddy Foundation for education of marginalized children and also in Calcutta with Unnatti, an NGO involved in teaching deaf children.

Finally, our employees are associated at the local level with charities in different parts of the country- with Make a Wish Foundation for terminally ill children, New Delhi based Arya orphanage, and other local charities.