CM Chandrababu Naidu Hails Akshaya Patra’s 25-Year Journey of Feeding Millions

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has extended heartfelt congratulations to the renowned service organization Akshaya Patra Foundation for completing 25 years of service and achieving the remarkable milestone of providing 5 billion meals . He lauded the foundation’s efforts in social service as exemplary and inspiring.

The Chief Minister emphasized that helping those in need strengthens society and moves it toward a better future. He particularly praised Akshaya Patra for providing nutritious meals to children from underprivileged communities, significantly contributing to their health and educational development.

Highlighting the importance of this achievement, CM Naidu noted that reaching the 5 billion meal milestone at Rashtrapati Bhavan , in the presence of President Draupadi Murmu , is a moment of pride for the entire nation. He shared his thoughts on the milestone via social media platform X, calling it a moment for the country to celebrate.

Akshaya Patra Foundation plays a key role in the central government’s PM POSHAN program, providing free meals to hundreds of thousands of students in government schools daily. In Andhra Pradesh, the foundation is also a partner in the Anna Canteens initiative, supplying nutritious food to low-income communities at affordable prices.

CM Naidu observed that such initiatives not only improve children’s nutrition but also boost school attendance and interest in learning. He highlighted the critical role of organizations like Akshaya Patra in promoting equality in society.

Founded in 2000 by members of ISKCON , Akshaya Patra has its headquarters in Bengaluru and operates as a leading non-profit organization addressing hunger and supporting educational development nationwide. Driven by the mission that “no child should be deprived of education due to hunger,” the foundation provides nutritious meals to government school students through the PM POSHAN program. Today, it serves over 2.1 million children in more than 24,000 schools across 16 states and 2 Union Territories.

The foundation is notable for preparing and distributing food in over 65 state-of-the-art kitchens with strict hygiene standards. So far, it has served more than 5 billion meals, improving the health and education outcomes of countless students. During crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, and cyclones, Akshaya Patra has also distributed food and essential grocery kits to those in need, continuing its humanitarian mission.

In Andhra Pradesh, the foundation also supplies meals to Anna Canteens, supporting economically disadvantaged communities. Its work in reducing hunger and promoting education has earned widespread recognition and several awards.

The milestone was celebrated on Tuesday at a felicitation event held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre , where President Draupadi Murmu served meals to children, marking the completion of 5 billion meals. She praised the foundation for its extraordinary achievements over the past 25 years, noting that providing nutritious food and quality education to children is not only the government’s responsibility but a shared duty of society to ensure a safe and secure future for the next generation.