My mom would feel proud to see me save lives

Wanting to make their parents proud is a dream many children nurture. Manasi Lohar, beneficiary of an NGO in Gujarat, The Akshaya Patra Foundation, is one such child. She is studying in Std V in Smt Tarabhen Modak Primary School in Surat, Gujarat. “I want to study well and become a doctor,” says Manasi, who loves reading about new things every day. The 10-year-old wants to be a doctor so that she can save people’s lives. She also adds, “It’s my mother’s dream to see me achieve big things in life. I want to make her proud.” Apart from Gujarat, Akshaya Patra also served Mid-day Meals to children in other countries.

Manasi’s mother is a homemaker, while her father works in a factory. She has an elder sister, who studies in Std VII and a younger brother in Std II. She likes to participate in various competitions that are held in school. She stood second in an essay-writing competition that was held recently to spread awareness about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission). The young girl advocates the importance of keeping surroundings clean. 

Math is Manasi’s favorite subject because she finds it challenging to solve mathematical problems. As for sports, she likes playing kho-kho and kabaddi.

Manasi relishes Mid-day Meals served in Surat by Akshaya Patra. She says it’s tasty, like homemade food. She lists the dishes that are served in her school like khichdi, varan (daal), poli (roti) and others. Of these, she says, khichdi is her favorite and adds that food is important for our growth because it provides necessary nutrients.

Mansi is just one of the many children who needs your support. Be a part of the initiative to make their dreams come true. To sponsor a child, donate online.

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Meet Sanjana – Mid-Day Meal Beneficiary Who Tops Her Class

For Sanjana, it’s just another day at school; she reaches school around 9 am, completes pending homework, attends the morning assembly and gets on with Std VIII classes for the rest of her day. Government Higher Primary School, located in Bairidevara Koppa, Hubballi, is well maintained and the students here are quite enthusiastic. A section of this school was built under the ‘Freedom through Education’ project led by Round Table India.

Sanjana Borashetti from Hubballi is not just a school topper but is also the go-to person for her classmates. She also has her own collection of Kannada poems. After school, she leaves for home that has grown accustomed to living without electricity. Sanjana and her family have been living without electricity for four years. In order to study and complete her homework, Sanjana uses a torch. “There are two torches at home. I use one while studying,” she says.

For this young girl, Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal in Karnataka is a boon. She and her siblings have been dependent on mid-day meals for many years and Akshaya Patra, an NGO in Karnataka is glad to be making a difference in their lives. Her story gives us an in-depth understanding on why social development initiatives like Food for Education are important in nation building. To help the initiative, you can donate towards education in India by sponsoring a child for a year. To read more about Sanjana’s life and other beneficiaries, visit stories of children.

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Ashwini – Beneficiary with a Flourishing Dream

Food for Education has benefitted millions of children in India in remarkable ways. Ashwini Beriskar, a 13-year-old student from Surat, is an Akshaya Patra beneficiary who gets mid-day meals in her school. Akshaya Patra team, an NGO in Surat and other places in India, recently met Ashwini who shared her dreams of becoming an Information Technology (IT) professional.

Mid-day meals in Surat have been operational since 2012 and today, 337 government and aided schools in this city are benefitted by Akshaya Patra’s school lunch Programme. Ashwini is one the students who represents many others who are just like her; determined and proud of her family. Her father, rickshaw driver, is the only earning member in the family and mother is a housewife. 

As a student, she likes participating in essay contests, dancing competitions and enjoys one of the most challenging subjects – Math. And as a beneficiary, she enjoys mid-day meals provided in her school; her favourite dish is Khichdi. She says, "These mid-day meals are important because not everyone brings tiffin from home, especially children whose parents leave early for work and don’t have the time to prepare food." Then, there are students who get food from home sometimes. The rest of the days they are dependent on Akshaya Patra food. Even those who bring tiffin eat this food.”

For complete story, read at Ashwini – Akshaya Patra Beneficiary

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Giving Every Dream a Chance – An Evening’s Tale!

Presenting ‘Giving Every Dream a Chance’ – a launch event of three dreams of chosen Akshaya Patra beneficiaries. With exceptional desire to achieve big, the beneficiaries filled the room with compassion in everybody’s hearts. Emotion was in the air and eyes were on the three budding stars of the evening – Manjula, Shivu and Shekar.

A year ago, The Foundation went on board on an extensive task of identifying three uncommon dreams – dreams of children that often go unheard and unrealized! 11 June, 2016 marked as the evening of launching those dreams after months of nurturing and fostering.

With substantial support and encouragement from thought leaders, philanthropists, corporates, artists and friends and family, the event was a delight. While Mrs. Sudha Murty graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, Femina Miss India Supranational 2016, Ms. Sushruthi Krishna was present to extend her support. Also, celebrated musician duo, Ram Sampath and Sona Mahapatra’s ethereal voice dominated the evening air. Award winning sand artist, Raghavendra Hegde’s sand art showcasing the story of Akshaya Patra left the crowd mesmerised.

Three Akshaya Patra short films featuring each beneficiary were also premiered. Manjula’s astounding performance, Shivu’s enlightening presentation on the constellations and Shekar’s act of an on spot chocolatier worked magic into the audience. Onlookers’ eyes were filled with joy and endless claps echoed in the air. Amid the splendid atmosphere, all new Akshaya Patra mobile app was launched by Mrs. Sudha Murty who also addressed the gathering.

Mr. Mohandas Pai, Akshaya Patra’s independent trustee, was also present to encourage The Foundation’s new initiative. The three mentors, Dr. Zulfia Shaikh, Ms. Preethi Krishnamurthy and Chef Ramasamy Selvaraju of Vivanta By Taj were felicitated for their efforts and willingness to take the three children under their wings and giving their dreams a new fillip.

Watch the videos of three beneficiaries dream:

Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman Akshaya Patra and Vice-Chairman, Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa also attended the event along with other dignitaries and supporters. The evening, a celebration of dreams, was wrapped with a vote of thanks by Mr. Sridhar Venkat, CEO, Akshaya Patra, followed by a lavish buffet spread sponsored by Vivanta By Taj.

Watch the video of the launch event – ‘Giving Every Dream a Chance’ and also view exclusive images of the same.

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