Social media that empowers you to make a change

May has been a busy month for the entire nation! The country has just finished it’s Lok Sabha elections and demonstrated the power of change – the power of voting as one.

This year’s elections also demonstrated the power that the youth of India have – that of influencing change through social media. Net savvy leaders used blogs to communicate with the public. Specially designed websites urged people to exercise their right to vote. Communities and pages dedicated to the elections came up on social networking sites and status messages suddenly read, “Go vote!” all over. The people of India actually took notice and came forth and voted.

The voluntary sector too has woken up to this media. In today’s wired world, it doesn’t take anything for you to be a part of this revolution too. There is a lot you can do for an organization like Akshaya Patra, from your own home. Experience the real potential of your social media presence – help us create awareness and fundraise to provide free, nutritious, school meals to underprivileged children to as many children as possible. Here’s how you can make a start by spending just a few minutes:

• Join the Akshay Patra community on your social networking site and encourage your friends to join, volunteer, and donate. If you don’t find a group or a page for our organization, write to us today!


• Start your own community educating people on the concept of free school meals for children and ask all your friends to visit our website.


• Change your status message for a day – ask people to participate in change through Akshaya Patra!


• If you blog, connect our blog to your own!


• Include Akshaya Patra in your signature and tagline with every out-going email message. It demonstrates your concern for the community and that you have taken a step for social change.


• Come visit our kitchen and see our work and write to your friends and family about it.


• Talk to your Corporate Social Responsibility team at work about our cause. Bring them over to visit us and see our work, or ask for a meeting where our representative can educate them on Akshaya Patra.