Mother’s Day is observed worldwide to honour all mothers and the values they embody. It evokes feelings of love, gratitude and appreciation for the women who endure to bring us to this world and fight against the odds to nurture us throughout their lives.
While we celebrate our own mothers who ensure that we grow up amidst all comforts of life, we must also remember countless children who cannot access necessities like food, shelter and education. So, let us take a moment to appreciate the motherly efforts of not-for-profit organisations that support these children with the resources they need and deserve to develop to their full potential.
In developing countries like India, where NGOs’ child welfare efforts are more desperately needed, The Akshaya Patra Foundation is helping turn the tide.
Akshaya Patra has been working with the government in India for 22 years to serve freshly-cooked, safe and nutritious mid-day meals to children from low-income families every day. This commendable collaboration to implement PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal or MDM Programme) has successfully incentivised them to attend school regularly and significantly improved their academic and non-academic performance, thus helping them persevere for the life they desire.
The compassionate kitchens of Akshaya Patra
The NGO’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word “Akshaya” meaning “endless” or “imperishable” — synonymous with the unending and unconditional love of a generous mother and also a fitting name for an organisation that undergoes constant technological advancement to serve its beneficiaries ceaselessly. All its kitchens strictly adhere to international hygiene standards, 27 of which are ISO-certified.
Furthermore, utmost care is taken at all stages of MDM production.
• Freshness of the raw materials ensured in all the kitchens by following the FIFO (First In First Out) and FEFO (First Expiry First Out) methods
• Cooking utensils made of food-safe SS 304 Grade that are sanitised before every use
• Kaizen, 5S, GMP, CI Projects and Six Sigma methodologies followed for constant improvement and involvement of every member in the kitchen
• Meals prepared from a standardised cyclical menu to ensure balanced and locally-palatable meals for children on all days
• Well-structured Quality Assurance programme implemented during Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production stages of meal preparation
• Cooked meals safely delivered every day in customised delivery vans
• Daily feedback taken from schools while delivering the meals
• Audits and surveys conducted on a daily, monthly and yearly basis
And just like a mother, the kitchens rev up before sunrise to deliver fresh and fulfilling meals to all its beneficiaries on time.
Care for children by supporting PM POSHAN Abhiyaan this Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a day to appreciate the selflessness and unconditional love of mothers, and Akshaya Patra’s work is a reflection of these values. Its mission to provide nutritious school meals to children every day is a testament to the fact that the love and care of a mother extend beyond her own child.
The NGO’s endeavour is a call to action for all of us to step up and do our part in ensuring that every child has access to the resources they need to thrive, just like our own mothers ensured that we had everything we needed to succeed.
Consider contributing to nourish children this Mother’s Day!
₹1,500 feeds a child in a government school for a year.