By Seema Joshi

Akshaya Patra, the “food for education” non-profit organization, reached its goal of feeding one million underprivileged children daily by 2010 on April 1, 2009. The organization increased the number of children served in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh and now feeds 1,008,518 children through 17 kitchens in seven states.

The world’s largest NGO-run midday meal program, Akshaya Patra is a public-private partnership that combines good management, innovative technology and smart engineering to deliver school lunch at a fraction of the cost of similar programs in other parts of the world.

“It is a victory for the deserving children. Their smiles will transform our lives too,” said Madhu Sridhar, Akshaya Patra USA’s president and CEO. “With strong social conscience, a passion combined with discipline, integrity and professionalism, the team – from those in the kitchens, to the supporters, to those in the board room and everyone in between – has brought us to this important milestone for Akshaya Patra.”

Upon reaching this landmark the organization has rededicated itself to a much larger goal. The organization’s next milestone is to serve 5 million children by 2020.

“One thing is certain from this experience,” said Madhu Pandit Das, the founder and chair of Akshaya Patra India. “Boundless compassion is waiting to explode into this world to lessen the suffering provided we involve more and more willing human hearts, minds and hands.”

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) organization in the United States. Tax ID # 01-0574950