News

“No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger” was the vision of Akshaya Patra Foundation to the people of India and this foundation is the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programme feeding known as “Unlimited food for Education”.

Started in the year 2000, they provided 1,500 meals to children across 5 schools in Bangalore however today it has grown to feed over 1 million school children across 7 states in India in over 5,700 schools a day.

Why may you ask is the importance of this task? Many families living in poverty has no opportunity to go to school as they require to search for food which in turn increased child labours in the country and abuses to the rights of these children. These children needs food to grown up properly and an education to get better jobs to break the cycle of poverty. But how can you combine both? Akshaya Patra Foundation started to provide food for the children in school to nourish their bodies and as an encouragement for them to continue to study. Initially most children go to school for food but later found that education opens up another world for them. The children did better in school and realise that education can improve their lives and that of their family members. In turn the healthy adults can contribute to the society and help to develop the nation.

While executing the project is an enormous challenge, the foundation has managed to overcome the barriers in serving food which includes managing the best procurement, operations and logistics to so many students by using technology, assistance from the public, government and plus a strong dose of dedication.

The school programme to support the underprivileged children in India received proof of the success of the programme in schools through lower drop out rates and improved nutritional levels in children.

“Malnutrition and school education are amongst the fundamental issues facing economically challenged children in India”, said Sripathi Das, Department Head of Communications & Public Relations, “so if we can overcome this barrier, we can achieve a better world”. The foundation is expecting to feed 5 million children by 2020.

The UNI Apro and UNI LCJ delegation valued the visit to Akshaya Patra Foundation and the opportunity to learn more about their work in improving the lives of the people. Truly a noble task for the children to receive adequate nutrition for learning and achieving their potential!

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is dependent upon participation from varies sectors. For more information, please visit their website: www.akshayapatra.org