Shriman Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman of the foundation, said, “It is a sign of farsightedness among our statesmen when they think of addressing the fundamental issues of malnutrition and school education of economically challenged children in our country. As the Finance Minister remarked in his concluding statements while presenting the 2008 Budget, “Generous grants, compassion, righteous rule and succour to the downtrodden are the hallmarks of good governance,” and this has been ably demonstrated in the allocation of funds towards mid-day meal program by the government. The allocation of Rs 8000 crore for the Mid-Day meal schemes in the interim budget is a welcome move. We thank the government and pray and hope that when the regular budget is presented, there will be even more for the disadvantaged children of our country.”

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit, Bangalore-based secular trust, evolved the free meal program in schools in the year 2000. It is one of the most successful Public-Private Partnership which has successfully proved that the government in association with the private sector can achieve much if they get together. The mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra is funded equally by Government mid-day meal grants and by the generosity of the private sector.

ABOUT THE AKSHAYA PATRA FOUNDATION

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit, Bangalore-based secular trust, evolved the free meal program in schools in the year 2000. What started as a pilot project in five schools in Bangalore, feeding 1,500 children, has now grown into a mammoth endeavor covering over 9,83,000 children in over 4,500 government, government aided schools and anganwadis (day care centers) in 17 locations spread across seven states in India, day after day. This is amongst the largest school meal NGO run program in the world. The foundation expects to reach a magical figure of five million children by 2020.

Six days a week, without a stop, the foundation provides unlimited, nutritious, hygienically cooked noon meals in government schools and government-run day-care centres (anganwadis), Ushering in a technology-intensive operating model that ensures high-quality, hygienic food on the one hand and increases internal efficiencies on the other, the program has brought about policy changes at the state government levels and created a new image for mid-day meals in India. Akshaya Patra is an eloquent demonstration of public private partnership as it is run with part subsidies from the government, besides financial support from corporates and individual philanthropists. The daily expenses: around Rs 35 Lakh! The program is independently governed by a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Panel consisting of professionals from the corporate world & bureaucracy, dedicated employees and a team of volunteers.

The program is advised in rigorous accounting standards and services by KPMG to ensure transparency and accountability to all its donors. A study in the year 2006 by AC Nielsen Org Marg, has vouchsafed for the efficacy of the program in increasing attendance in schools, improving nutritional status of these children, enhancing their learning abilities and reducing drop out rates. The foundation’s work has been praised by all quarters and a recent feather in its cap has been the study conducted by Harvard Business School.

All contributions to The Akshaya Patra Foundation are eligible for 100% tax deduction under section 35AC/80GGA (bb) of the Income Tax Act 1961 in India.