More than 2 million children in over 22,000 schools spread across 15 Indian states and 2 UTs eagerly await the delivery of their mid-day meals each school day. Many of them receive their first, and possibly the only, meal of the day from The Akshaya Patra Foundation. They attend school every day because of the promise of a hearty hot lunch. Akshaya Patra believes once they are there, the nutrients will aid in their ability to focus on their education and improved academic performance.
According to the Limca Book of Records, Akshaya Patra is the largest non-governmental organisation (NGO) that implements the Government’s PM Poshan Abhiyaan (previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Programme or MDM Programme).
“Our MDM programme is not just about providing food. It is about providing opportunities for children from economically challenged backgrounds to get a good education and thereby realize their true potential,” Madhu Pandit Dasa, chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation was quoted as saying in an interview to a business journal from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
How MDM Supports Education Of Children
Adequate nutrition, through the Mid-Day Meal Programme, ensures that a child receives a high-quality education and that the learning curve is upward and continuous. Children's hunger in the classroom is satisfied by a balanced diet, which also aids in their ability to concentrate on their studies and extracurricular activities. In addition to improving inter-caste socialisation, access to healthy food solves the problem of childhood malnutrition. By encouraging parents to send their children to school on a regular basis, a healthy mid-day meal also raises enrolment and retention rates in schools.
Meals That Inspire Dreams
Priya aspires to join the Indian army
A student of Class VIII at Rawalwadi Relocation Site Primary School in Bhuj, Priya Maheshwari aspires to join the Indian army when she grows up. “I want to join the army and protect our country,” she says.
“It is not just my childhood dream, but also the dream of my mother.” Priya wants to change the narrative that army posting at the border is only for men. She enthusiastically tells us, “I want to see more women at the border defending our country. I want to change people’s mindset that women can’t be at the border.”
When asked about mid-day meals, she says, “Akshaya Patra food is delicious. It is full of different vegetables. We also get snacks in the form of sukhdi, peanuts, churma, etc. Among these, I love peanuts the most. We have a proper lunch here so we don’t have to eat at home again.”
“Earlier we used to be very lean,” she tells us while using the little finger to denote the same and follows it up with, “now we are healthy,” with a thumbs up sign.
From the ‘agriculture minister’
Biplab Murmu is the agriculture minister in the school cabinet. “We cultivate vegetables like pumpkin, beans, ridge gourd and cauliflower in our school premises,” he proudly tells us. A child with many talents, Biplab studies in class IV.
He is also gifted in the field of dramatics, willing to perform at the drop of the hat. At home, the 11-year-old likes playing football—his favourite sport—with his friends. His mother works in a tea plantation while his father is a farmer.
Biplab is particularly close to his father, Dipak Murmu, and even helps him in their field. He also tells his father about the day’s events, including what he ate for lunch at the school. “They are running a good initiative,” he says. “Whenever we ask children about their feedback on food, they appreciate it.”
The pulao and dal served every Wednesday is Biplab’s favourite. “I like the food served on Wednesdays… It is tasty,” Biplab says as his eyes brighten.
Biplab aspires to join the army when he grows up. “When I grow up, I want to join the army,” he confidently tells us. “I will catch bad people and punish them in order to keep the country safe.
She wants to ‘go places’
Yashaswi studies in the class IX at Karnataka Public School, Honnaganahatti. She is a class topper and aspires to travel the world one day.
Yashaswi’s father is a farmer and her mother, a housewife. Both the parents understand the importance of education and food, particularly for a growing child.
“Food is very delicious. My favourite dishes are Rasam and Puliogre. They give us in large quantity that is sufficient for everyone. It’s hot and delicious. It’s neither too spicy nor salty. It is the proper amount that we want for the correct taste. So, I think it’s very nice,” Yashaswi says.
When you donate to Akshaya Patra you feed the children and ensure that ‘no child is deprived of education due to hunger’. This is one of the most efficient ways to give back to the society. In this way, you can encourage children from lower income groups to attend school on a regular basis while simultaneously supporting their overall development.
By donating to Akshaya Patra, you qualify for 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
Together, we can meet the nutritional and educational requirements of every child in India.
Invest in them to secure their future and avail tax benefits!
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