Akshaya Patra and generous deed

“Akshaya Patra” means an inexhaustible vessel. It was a wonderful vessel given to Yudhishthira by the Lord Surya, which held a never-failing supply of food to the Pandavas every day.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the largest non-profit organisation in the world to implement the school meal programme. They reach out to over 12 lakhs children in 19 locations across 9 states of India, providing them with freshly cooked meal on all school days. What started as a small initiative 10 years ago has born fruit to many children in India.

“No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.”

Today, there is a need for organizations like Akshaya Patra since our Government has been ineffective in bringing down or getting rid of corruption in India. The government organized School Meal service has been often in news for Corruption, Low Quality food and unhygienic kitchens in which the food is cooked. The food, served to the next generation that will guide our country, is often tasteless.

According to a recent report (cant remember by whom, but was in newspaper), close to 50% of kids in India are under weight. Most of the villagers, who are poor and live on daily wages not more than Rs. 100 per day, have been sending young kids to work as domestic helps and other odd jobs to earn money for living. The government starting the Mid-day meal for State funded schools, hoping to attract parents to send their kids to schools. With an active public – private partnerships with various NGOs in India, we should be able to achieve the vision stated above.

I haven’t heard of a very efficient Mid-day meals as of now. However, a public – private partner ship is the best way to go forward and Akshaya Patra has just done that, successfully.

I wish to quote a song sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohamad Rafi and written by Hasrat Jaipuri, from the movie Boot Polish.

Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai
Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai
Mutthi mein hai takdeer humaari
Mutthi mein hai takdeer humaari

Humne kismat ko bas mein kiya hai
Humne kismat ko bas mein kiya hai
Bholi bhaali matwaali aankhon mein kya hai
Bholi bhaali matwaali aankhon mein kya hai

Aankhon mein jhoome ummeedo ki diwali
Aankhon mein jhoome ummeedo ki diwali
Aanewaali duniya ka sapna saja hai
Aanewaali duniya ka sapna saja hai

Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai
Nanhe munne bachche teri mutthi mein kya hai

These are the very kids who have dreams and aspirations, who live to live another day with happiness. We all were either kids or not even born when this song was penned. Today when we think we have achieved some success in our lives, earning well and living a life in luxury than these under-privileged kids, we should think about our own childhood, and compare with theirs…

Though I haven’t personally experienced the food quality and the facilities Akshaya Patra offers, I have friends who have been very confident about them.

You can donate to Akshaya Patra online via the following link. Or read more about Akshaya Patra.

http://www.akshayapatra.org/online-donations

I came across Akshaya Patra when one of my Friend suggested me. And this time around, am reminded about this noble deed again by IndiBlogger. If any one wishes to vote for this article, he/she can do so on the IndiVine.

IndiBlogger.in is a networking platform for Bloggers and boasts of India’s best Blogger forum. The Akshaya Patra Foundation and IndiBlogger have come together to promote the latter and to enable more inflows of donation to fund their activities.