Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the first proficient administrators of India. Along with it, he had limitless affection for children, no matter their gender or socioeconomic background.

Nehru loved roses and used them metaphorically to explain the nature of children. He said,
“Children are like buds in a garden and should be carefully and lovingly nurtured, as they are the future of the nation and citizens of tomorrow. Only through the right education can a better order of society be built up.”

And so he made invaluable contributions to child education and development.

• He emphasised the rights of underprivileged children to free and equal education
• He founded the Children’s Film Society India in 1955 to create native cinema exclusively for children
• He enforced the establishment of the iconic All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

Thus, in recognition of Nehru’s love for children and his efforts to ensure child welfare in India, the Government passed an official notice to mark his birthday as Children’s Day after his demise in 1964.

Ever since, this day is being celebrated in schools with songs, dance performances, plays, snacks and a lot of fun. Most importantly, it emphasises raising awareness about a child’s fundamental rights to nutritious food, education, protection and health care.

But today, over 33 lakh children in India still battle undernourishment and exploitation EVERY DAY.
The Government of India and NGOs like The Akshaya Patra Foundation are working ceaselessly so that underprivileged children can access their rights to food and education.

Akshaya Patra’s ‘0 hunger’ initiative

Akshaya Patra is a 22-year-old not-for-profit organisation whose 65 kitchens serve mid-day meals (and breakfast in some locations) to 20,10,516 children in Government and Government-aided schools across 14 states and 2 union territories in India. It supports the Government’s initiative of PM Poshan Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme [MDM]).

The NGO has the reputation of running the world’s largest school-lunch programme and is registered under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882. When you donate to this NGO, you can also avail 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act since the Foundation is registered under section 12 A of the IT Act as a non-profit organisation.
So, be rest assured that your donation is in safe hands!1

Also, the new model of PM Poshan Abhiyaan will surely yield well when implemented effectively. It:
• nourishes pre-primary school children and provides supplementary nutrition to anaemic children
• authorises specialists to monitor nutrition, haemoglobin levels, BMI and weight of school children
• teaches children to grow food with nutritional gardens
• empowers women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by procuring raw materials locally
• authorises college and university students to inspect and ensure ground-level execution of PM Poshan Abhiyaan
• encourages communities to feed children during festivals

Thus, Akshaya Patra needs your contribution this Children’s Day to efficiently run the programme in every location across India and put an end to malnourishment in the country.

Your impact when you support Akshaya Patra

Ever since the Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM) was started in 2000, beneficiary schools confirmed improvement in school enrolment and attendance rates while children expressed their love for school as they get to learn, make friends and eat delicious mid-day meals. Parents from low-income households are also at peace knowing their children will grow strong and smart from education and nutritious meals provided every day at school.

Donate for children’s school meals this Children’s Day

India has raised geniuses like Chanakya and Birbal in the past. It has also achieved great heights in the seven decades since its independence. Thus evidently, its people are brimming with talent and skills. Many have even transcended boundaries and have emerged as international leaders today.

If marginalised children are given access to basic needs and their fundamental rights, the day is not far when India will emerge as the abode of achievers!

Your contribution can help in realising this dream!

If Akshaya Patra can accomplish empowering 2 million (20,10,516) children every day in 22 years with support from donors like you, then achieving 0 hunger and 100% literacy among children is possible too.

So, let’s achieve an India that is self-sufficient, self-reliant and a home to leaders!

Donate to Akshaya Patra this Children’s Day to build a hunger-free future.

Navaratri or Navaratra is the most-awaited and auspicious nine-day festival for paying respect to Goddess Durga. People celebrate and worship her nine forms on these days as each day is linked with an incarnation of the goddess.

Across India, the festival is celebrated by decorating homes and offices with diyas, rangolis, flowers and lights. The period culminates with Dashami (the tenth day of Navaratri)—also called Dussehra or Vijayadashami—marking the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and of Lord Rama over Ravana.

Additionally, as Navaratri means ‘nine nights’, it is considered a duration of happiness after a hectic year, just like a peaceful night after a day of intense work. Thus, people observe fast, eat healthy and practice peace and contentment for these nine days. By Vijayadashami, members of Indian families dispersed all across the world, meet up over lavish meals, dance, lights and lots of fun.

In Gujarat, the festival is observed by doing the Garba and Dandiya folk dances. While in West Bengal, Devi Durga is venerated with grandiose and vigour.

No matter the differences in customs, the core value of the festival is the victory of good over evil.

Among the many ways of helping the needy, feeding them can be extremely beneficial for them. Once they are healthy, they can focus on improving other aspects of their lives. Children can continue their education while elders can work efficiently to improve their financial situation.

Celebrate with acts of kindness
A common practice during this time is donating to charity. People express gratitude for the health and wealth they received, by sharing it with those who are not as privileged—be it in the form of food, money, clothes, stationery or other articles. It is indeed the best way to multiply the goodness and divinity of Navratri.

Therefore, donating food to the underprivileged can significantly elevate the lifestyles of low-income families, develop communities and increase their earning potential, eventually benefitting the Indian economy.

Feed the hungry children
Across the world and in India, we have several registered NGOs for hunger elimination. They welcome generous donors who wish to donate and feed those in need. Akshaya Patra is one such trusted NGO in India, serving cooked meals to the underprivileged through its 65 kitchens across 14 states and 2 Union Territories.

Although it has been running several programmes for underprivileged communities, one of its flagship programmes is the Mid-Day Meal Programme that supports the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan for children of Government schools. It currently feeds 2 million children across India every day!

Today, many schools report that serving mid-day meals has increased enrolment and attendance rates, even among girls. They say children are now more active and can concentrate better during classes.

Meet the graceful mid-day meal beneficiary – Kajal

This Navratri, make an online donation to help children like Kajal leap towards their aspirations without worrying about food. Feed the hungry children with Akshaya Patra and attain divine blessings this Navratri along with a 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Happy Dussehra!