Nearly 20 million young children in the world are malnourished and more
than one third of all child deaths come from malnutrition. In India, efforts have been going on to
tackle this problem. This was how The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a NGO
implementing the mid-day meal programme, was born. Starting its work as a NGO
in Karnataka back in 2000, the organisation is now spread across 24 locations
in 10 Indian states and feeds 1.4 million underserved children. The stories of hope
revealed by Akshaya Patra beneficiaries show the importance of food and
education in life and are also good enough to be converted into inspirational moral
stories for children. The initiative has received wide recognition and
people from different parts of the world have come forward to support the cause
and donate to NGO.
Most of these children come from low income families and the free
lunches have helped make a huge difference in their lives. While talking to the Akshaya Patra, NGO
in Karnataka, children have revealed how the nutritious meals have
helped them to concentrate in studies and set high goals in life. Having high
aspirations in life, these young students have served as inspirations for moral
stories for children.
Akshaya Patra beneficiaries have revealed their readiness to serve
the society as teacher, police officer or soldier. Sakshita, an 8th standard student
of Zilla Parishad High School in Patancheru, is a topper in her class and wants
to teach rural children; while Darshan, a 14-year-old student of the Government
Lower Primary School in Dasrahalli, wants to join the Indian Army. Harsha, a class IX student at The Government
High School in Shivnahalli, who lost his mother at a young age, wants to become
a police officer and help society. Though these children have acknowledged the role
of Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal in making a difference in their lives, the
organisation attributes its success to the people who donate to charity
generously.
The organisation provides innumerable options for people who want to
donate to NGO. Most
importantly, donating online can help save tax. A contribution of ₹ 500 or more
can get 100% tax exemption in India. Feeding a child a year costs only ₹ 750
and the organisation also accepts donations in the form of a kitchen equipment
or meal delivery van.
The NGO in Karnataka operates in six places and feeds 463,682
children from 2,629 schools. Two
kitchens- HK Hill and Vasanthpura are located in Bengaluru, while the other
four kitchens function in other parts of Karnataka like Ballari, Hubballi,
Mangaluru and Mysuru. Akshaya Patra
takes extra care to ensure that school children get all the nutrients needed
for growth. To make the meal more appealing, these kitchens have designed
special menus for Karnataka which include sambar, rasam, dal and rice.
