Akshaya Patra, an Indian charitable trust, achieved a milestone of providing 4 billion meals to Indian school children through the government’s Mid Day Meal programme.
The NGO’s efforts will be commemorated by the United Nations on Apr. 2 in New York City with the support of the Permanent Mission of India at the UN and the Indian government.
The world’s largest NGO-run school meal program will be acknowledged during the program in the presence of Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, founder and chairman emeritus of Infosys, NR Narayana Murthy, and chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Madhu Pandit Dasa.
We're overflowing with pride and gratitude as we announce a historic milestone: Akshaya Patra has served 4 billion meals to India's children through the PM Poshan Abhiyaan.
— Akshaya Patra Official (@AkshayaPatra) April 1, 2024
On April 2nd, 2024, at 08:30 PM IST, @indiaunnewyork will spotlight this remarkable achievement at the @UN… pic.twitter.com/JOLwtkl13O
According to an official statement the United Nations will honor the organization’s commitment towards ending hunger, a part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – SDG-2.
Established in 2000, the Akshaya Patra foundation battled against classroom hunger, providing sustenance and reducing the lack of nutrition among underprivileged students.
Moreover, its initiative nudged parents to send their children to attend school, thereby increasing attendance in schools and improving the children’s academic performance.
The Foundation provided mid-day meals to over 2.2 million children in around 24,000 schools across India daily. In addition, they also engaged volunteers, youth ambassadors, and donors in the United States through Akshaya Patra USA.
Expressing their joy over reaching the milestone, the foundation said in a statement, “We’re overflowing with pride and gratitude as we announce a historic milestone: Akshaya Patra has served 4 billion meals to India’s children through the PM Poshan Abhiyaan.”
They also thanked those for shaping their successful journey, writing, “With heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, the Ministry Of Education, State Governments and every contributor and supporter who has been part of this journey, we move forward with renewed commitment and hope.”
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