Contribute to the ‘Inexhaustible Vessel of Food’ this Akshaya Tritiya

 Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is a sacred day celebrated by Hindus and Jains across India. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Akshaya’ means never-ending while ‘Tritiya’ stands for the third lunar day of the Vaisakha month (April-May).

In Hinduism, this day marks many significant events.

• •         On this day, Sudama visited his childhood friend, Lord Krishna, after many years. Despite suffering from extreme poverty, Sudama offered the puffed rice packed by his wife to Lord Krishna with great affection, who then blessed him with endless happiness and prosperity.
• •         This is the day when Draupadi from the Mahabharata epic received the ‘Akshaya Patra’, the inexhaustible vessel of food.
• •         It also marks the birth of Devi Annapoorna, the Hindu goddess of food.

Thus, Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be a highly auspicious day for new beginnings. It is believed that any new venture started on this day will be blessed with good luck, success and prosperity. Hence, people buy gold, start new businesses, make investments and perform religious rituals on this day.

Many also choose to donate to charities on Akshaya Tritiya. It is not just a way of giving back to society but also a way of seeking the blessings of the divine. By helping those in need, people express gratitude for the health and wealth they enjoy. Donating also brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, knowing that their contribution is making a positive impact on the lives of others. It is also widely believed that any act of charity done on this day will multiply manifold and bring everlasting peace and prosperity to the donor’s family.

For the recipients, donations can be as life-changing as the inexhaustible vessel of food. They provide essential resources such as meals, shelter, education or medical care to those in need. They can help them overcome financial challenges and offer a pathway to a better life.

Transform lives on Akshaya Tritiya

Much like the Akshaya Patra in the epic of Mahabharata, The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to be an unlimited source of food for children from low-income backgrounds in India. But it would not be possible without the support from governments and donors worldwide.

Thus, Akshaya Patra works in partnership with the Government of India, individuals and other organisations to implement the government’s PM Poshan Abhiyaan [earlier called the Mid-Day Meal Programme (MDM)] across government and government-aided schools in the country.

Akshaya Patra began its operations in 2000 with just one kitchen in Bangalore that fed 1,500 children every day. Today, it has grown to serve food to over 2 million children across 15 states and 2 union territories in India every day under the PM Poshan Abhiyaan or the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Programme. By providing nutritious mid-day meals to school children, the NGO aims to eliminate classroom hunger and also incentivise them to attend classes regularly.

Contributing to Akshaya Patra on Akshaya Tritiya is a great way to impact the lives of children who need our support while living up to the spirit of the occasion. These donations help fund the operations of the NGO and expand its reach to more schools and children. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference and help them persevere towards their goals every day.

This Akshaya Tritiya, express gratitude for the blessings of health and prosperity in your life. Donate online to feed children from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds and contribute to a sustainable future for India.

Your support on this auspicious day will support children’s nourishment and education for one full academic year.

Care for those who cared for us: feed the homeless mothers

 Women are the embodiment of unconditional love, care and compassion. 

However, widows are often the forgotten, marginalised members of society. Some of them either leave their homes or are abandoned by their families and have to fend for themselves. 

Today, many of them have found solace and companionship in the supportive community of ashrams in Vrindavan. They provide a safe and comfortable living environment for the widows, many of whom were previously struggling to make ends meet. 

With the support of the government, non-profit entities and the ashram community, these women can now live with dignity and access the resources they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. But more work needs to be done to support these women in the areas of healthcare and social bonding. 

There are many ways in which we can help. 

• We can visit the ashrams and spend time with the widows. Many of them have been isolated for years. Spending time with them and showing them compassion can go a long way towards improving their quality of life. Visitors can also bring gifts or donations such as clothing, blankets or food.  
  
  
• We can spread awareness of the issues that they face. By sharing their stories and advocating for their rights, we can help break down the stigma and discrimination that many of them endure.  
  
  
• We can donate to organisations that support widows. Today, many top NGOs in India are providing resources and assistance to these women through their dedicated programmes. Donations to these charities go towards sponsoring healthcare, education and skill building and other vital services that these women need to thrive. Today, supporting these NGOs has become easier with online donations. 

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one of the top NGOs in India that began the initiative to serve freshly cooked and nutritious meals every day in the ashrams caring for widowed mothers. These meals help them spend a healthy retired life and learn new skills to maintain a productive lifestyle and better mental state.

Feed the Homeless Mothers

These elderly women spent their lives nurturing their families. Today, they need your support. You can provide them the care and nourishment they deserve through online donations.

Consider supporting Akshaya Patra to feed the homeless mothers and help these women lead comfortable, healthy and fulfilling lives in the ashrams. By taking action and supporting them in whatever way we can, we can help to create a brighter future for all.

This World Health Day, let’s strengthen the foundation of the future

World Health Day is observed on April 7th every year to commemorate the founding of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1948. Since nutrition is a fundamental right of every individual, this day serves as a reminder to ensure that everyone has access to good health and well-being, regardless of age, gender or socioeconomic status.

The theme for World Health Day 2023 is "Health for All" to emphasise the need for equal access to nutrition and healthcare services for everyone. (Every year, the WHO declares a theme to draw attention to specific health issues that need urgent action.) This year’s theme is a good opportunity to initiate a discussion on child nourishment and the challenges in helping children access quality nutrition today.

The challenge

UNICEF data shows that about half of all deaths in children under five are due to undernutrition. Undernutrition puts children at a higher risk of dying from common infections. These infections affect them more frequently and severely and they take longer to recover.

The data suggests that although stunting has declined since 2000, wasting and obesity persist. We will require a reversal in trajectory and faster progress to achieve the 2030 target of ending all forms of malnutrition.

The progress

A well-nourished child has better physical and cognitive abilities, a stronger immune system and a reduced risk of illnesses. Malnutrition in the early years of a child’s life can have long-term effects on their physical and cognitive development, making it difficult for them to thrive later in life. Unfortunately, it remains a significant problem in many parts of the world, particularly developing countries.

In India, governments, NGOs and compassionate donors are working relentlessly to address child malnutrition, especially for those from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds. They are also collaborating to execute initiatives at the grassroots level.

One such collaboration exists between a non-profit organisation called The Akshaya Patra Foundation, the various governments in the country and the public. Together, they are striving to eliminate hunger and malnutrition among children in India. With the belief that education and nutrition go hand in hand, the NGO leverages the support to provide nutritious school meals to children who may otherwise go without any food at all.

This alliance has resulted in the effective implementation of the Central Government’s Mid-Day Meal or MDM Scheme (now known as the PM Poshan Abhiyaan). For 22 years, the NGO has been serving freshly cooked, nutritious mid-day meals from its centralised and decentralised kitchens across India.

These kitchens follow strict quality and hygiene standards and conduct regular training to increase efficiency. Today, with consistent efforts and support from donors worldwide, the NGO nourishes over 2 million children across 22,367 schools in 15 states and 2 union territories of India.

The MDM programme has not only improved the nutritional status of children, but has also contributed to their overall health and social well-being. It has also been instrumental in increasing school attendance and reducing dropout rates.

Akshaya Patra's work is especially noteworthy in the context of World Health Day. Its efforts have been recognised globally for providing nutritious mid-day meals to children every school day, addressing malnutrition and promoting healthier lifestyles. The MDM programme is a good example of how public and private collaboration can result in the successful execution of initiatives that aim to improve the status of underprivileged communities.

Donate to feed a child. Help build a strong foundation for the future.

World Health Day is an important reminder of the need for global health equity and access to healthcare for all. It is also a day to reiterate our commitment to child nutrition as a top priority, considering that it will help build a strong foundation for the future. On this day, let us take a moment to recognise the vital role of the NGOs in promoting child nourishment and overall health. By providing nutritious meals to children and educating them about the importance of health and hygiene, these organisations help to build a safer and healthier future for children.

You can all play a part in upholding a child’s right to nutrition by volunteering your time and expertise, spreading awareness about child malnutrition and donating to NGOs like Akshaya Patra.

 

Akshaya Patra is registered under the Income Tax Act of 1961. So, you can donate and save tax while supporting a noble cause. When you donate to feed a child with Akshaya Patra, you get a tax exemption certificate as proof and become eligible to avail 50% tax exemption on every donation you make.

Access to nutritious food is a basic human right. Let’s contribute and ensure that it is upheld.

When young children receive quality nourishment, the future will be in good hands.

Donate and save tax today.