Massachusetts, Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit organization that runs the largest school lunch program of its kind in the world for underprivileged children in India, launched its thirteenth kitchen in Gujarat on July 28, 2007. The organization, which set up its first kitchen in 2000 to feed 1500 children in Bangalore, is now feeding almost 800,000 children on a daily basis. In addition to Gujarat, Akshaya Patra's other kitchens are located in the states of Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa.  

The organization's mission is to end hunger and promote education by providing an incentive for chldren to come to school, stay in school, and provide them the necessary nutrients they need to improve their cognitive development and performance in the classroom. The goal of the organization is to feed one million children on a daily basis by the end of the decade.  

“Akshaya Patra is an initiative that could transform India if we could replicate it nationwide,” said Madhu Sridhar, President of Akshaya Patra USA. “A developed India tomorrow cannot be a reality until we take responsibility for this vulnerable segment of our population. We need to take individual responsibility to be part of the solution. Akshaya Patra, with its proven track record and scalable model, offers that solution,” said Sridhar.
 
Akshaya Patra is tackling an important challenge in India. Despite the country's booming economic growth in recent years, India is still home to 57 million malnourished children. It has been estimated that malnourishment is the root of 22% percent of the country's burden of disease, and is having a negative effect on both productivity and income in India. In regards to education, the outlook also remains bleak. Although the country is home to some of the most talented minds and teaching institutions in the world, there are millions of others who do not have access to a basic education. Approximately 25 million primary school-age children are not in school. For those enrolled, 40% drop out before reaching Class V. Literacy, especially among women, remains low.  

Using innovative technologies and efficient processes to produce nutritious school lunches in a short amount of time, and with very little cost at just $28 per child annually, Akshaya Patra is providing India's children with a free meal, often the only one they receive the entire day. In addition, Akshaya Patra is a model for public-private partnerships, working closely with the state governments and private sector to implement and scale its program effectively. The organization has also demonstrated positive impact in school attendance, retention, nutrition, and performance, especially among female students.    

Akshaya Patra is already feeding 51,000 students in Gujarat using temporary facilities. A permanent kitchen in Ahmedabad will have the capacity to feed over 150,000 children on a daily basis. As with Akshaya Patra's other kitchens, this facility will use state of the art technology and be built to ISO standards. The estimated cost of building the new kitchen is $1.5 million. Akshaya Patra's US office, located in Stoneham, MA, will be actively raising support for this new operation.  

 â€œAkshaya Patra is providing opportunities to the spirits and inner hidden dreams of children by providing the essential nutrients they need to bring out a smile and to be good citizen in this wonderful world. With a commitment of 28 dollars a year for 12 years, we too can enjoy that certain smile. Let us join hands,” said Dr. Dinesh Patel from Lexington, MA.

For more information, please contact Madhu Sridhar, President of Akshaya Patra USA, at 978-886-9306 or at Madhu@akshayapatrausa.org.

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