No wonder we hear so much about poverty and hunger, we still complain about the taste and quality of food available to us, rather than considering it a blessing for the food that has still been available to us. We cite all sorts of reasons in the world to skip a meal.
Have we ever thought about the millions of people in the world who do not have proper food even once during a day? An estimated 3.5million children below the age of five, die each year due to malnutrition.
Here is one side of the world, where people have enough money to take care of their personal needs, while on the other side there are people starving due to hunger. These people do not even have money to take care of their basic needs. A recent data suggests that the number of people living below $1.25per day in India has increased from 421million in 1981 to 456million in 2005.
In India, education is directly linked to hunger. Our country has a population of 70%in the rural areas which in itself shows great disparity. Most of these people are illiterate, as they do not attend school because their basic need of food isn’t satisfied. They are asked to work from their childhood as it is considered as an additional source of income to the family and they also get to eat the day’s meals. And this tradition still continues, with their children also involved in this kind of work.
In order to provide education to these children, the government introduced the mid-day meal scheme in schools. This led to the increase in children attending schools, as most of the families considered it a way to feed their children at least once during the day. This also solved the purpose of education, as these children also started learning.
One of the basic reason for the NGO’s to evolve, is to help these needy people. Their primary motto is to help people in need in terms of food, clothing and shelter.
Akshaya Patra is one such foundation, which has been founded to help those who are suffering from hunger. The name-Akshaya Patra is derived from Mahabharata, one of the great epics of India. Akshaya Patra was a vessel given to Yudhishtira by Surya and the vessel had the powers to produce inexhaustible supply of food each day. This foundation started with the vision that “No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger”.
The first mid-day meal program was launched in Bangalore, where the foundation served 1500 children across 5 schools. With an increasing support base, this foundation is reaching out to 12 lakh children every day. Currently, they are working on a mission of reaching 50 lakh children by 2020.
With one of the most basic and important needs of humans being taken care of, there is a substantial increase in the number of children attending school.
Even with all these organizations working day in and out to reach the needy, there is still a big gap to be filled, as money has become a big hindrance to achieve the goal.
To be a part of this great cause, you can donate via:
http://www.akshayapatra.org/online-donations
To know more about Akshaya Patra, log on to: http://www.akshayapatra.org/
Well put KP... the effort seems effective & sustainable. Good initiative by Akshaya Patra!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe that these many children suffer and die out of hunger,truth hurts!!! Education is the right of each and every child. There are many countries that made legislations to make the primary education mandatory for a child. I am not sure if this law exists in India, atleast, it is not followed strictly. Just laws alone cannot solve this problem, it is the will of each and everyone in this country to take the responsibility. We, the Indians, cannot say "we are a super power" with these kind of situations in our country. there are so many people, who just don't have time to think about the needy people. yet, most of them would always be glad to lend their generous hands to help them. Hope these kind of blogs and adverts brings awareness to the kind-hearted people.
ReplyDeletevery brilliantly compiled and written.
ReplyDeletegreat.
Seems to be a good initiative....Hope many NGOs like "akshaya patra"evolve...
ReplyDeleteIf every youth in India associates himself with one NGO,then we can surely make a big difference in the lives of the under privileged children...
god bless them...
I am sure the gap is huge but every bit of effort to promote education counts. Education is a survival skill and that's the only tool that could improve the lives of the less privileged.
ReplyDeleteGood Work Karthik...
ReplyDeleteWe often feel what difference is it going to make if one person alone contribute to the society. If we change that single thought of ours, i'm sure we'll have a big change in the society and the gap as described by you bridged.
Well written PK.. A famous Tamil saying says "Miga Kodiyathu - Ilamaiyil varumai"(Most horrible thing is poverty in young age). I feel it is a collective responsibility of Government and we individuals to eradicate poverty. We individuals can associate with NGOs like "Akshya Pathra" and Government should work from the roots(from bottom to up) to eradicate poverty completly.
ReplyDeleteFirst & foremost feed for growth of any nation in the globe is to educate the citizens. As you have said and due credit to the wisdom of our national leaders, the biggest hindrance/assistance to education is "FOOD". Appropriate schemes were evolved by the Government to address the same. In a highly populated country like us, it’s quite a challenging task for the Government to fulfill it solely. So, there exists need for NGO to act as catalyst to the process.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Akshaya Patra for their efforts in this direction & PK for spreading the message across…. (Basically a marketing manager’s job – to ensure that product reaches the mass)
Even though we say that the economy is growing, still the people at the bottom of the pyramid suffer. It is time that the government realize its responsibilities and work to improve the status of the poor.
ReplyDeleteWell said Karthik. If we just set aside Rs 25 ,which is a paltry sum considering our expenses,every week it would be enough.But no…we would rather spend that on junk food.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that if people actually knew the extent of poverty and hunger in our country they would contribute. The problem is awareness.That is where organisations like Akshaya Patra come in. Though their efforts are laudable on the hunger front it is the awareness they bring about that is invaluable. For every 10 new people who learn about the state of poverty in India atleast one would be willing to contribute. Even if ones efforts feeds one child for one day he can rest easy knowing he has made a difference in that child’s life
As mentioned, this scheme was first started in Karnataka by the government and is being assisted by various NGOs. The fact that this scheme has been running for more than 10 years shows that these schemes are here to stay - perhaps it can be one of the ways of countering the poverty and food crisis looming around. Very well written article, Karthik :) Going ahead, hope to see more such nice articles from you.
ReplyDeleteThe economics involved in the post, which eventually led to the bottom line conclusion on creating a self sustainable mid day scheme(enterprise) is commendable.
ReplyDeleteGreat statistics, it certainly depicts the severeness of the situation. Efforts from organization such as Akshaya Patra and people like yourself, hope we can eliminate hunger once for all in India..
ReplyDeleteAkshaya Patra has been doing extremely well in addressing the basic needs - food and education of our poor children. As individuals though everyone of us would appreciate the efforts of Akshaya Patra, it is important that we contribute to this initiative in what ever small way we can. As a society, especially the youth of the nation, we need to extend our continuous support to help improve the living standards of our brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteI liked the topic and the way you expressed it. Gives good awareness of Akshaya Patra NGO and their mission. Instead of reading this post and leaving it here, it will be great if every reader just understand and spread the message of this post that "Wasting food is not less than taking food away from the need".
ReplyDeletePoverty and illiteracy are two major threats that is preventing India from becoming a developed nation despite its immense natural and human resources.
ReplyDeleteHats off to NGOs which are trying to eradicate this. As a fellow human being and a good citizen, I feel its our duty to support this cause.
The fact is that the condition will not change until the thinking of the people change. Many billionaires in America have come together and started contributing but this remains a far-fetched idea in India. People in India will build the costliest house on the globe, fly in private jets, buy the latest cars but when it comes to donating they turn deaf ears to the society. Great contribution by Akshaya Patra, and a good job by you in bringing them in notice of the people.
ReplyDeletegreat work karthik.
ReplyDeletethere should be more organisations like Akshaya Patra which can help people satisfy their basic needs of food and education. i think every individual contribution would also make a huge difference and people should come together to contribute to this.
Nice topic to make people know still children are starving food and missing the education. great job karthik...
ReplyDeleteWell written PK.
ReplyDeleteI like the effort and time you have put to create this. Also I appreciate your concern over this issue.
As a matter of fact we all like to talk about this issue for hours. but how productive we are in our day today life. We always like to donate to some organization just to delegate our responsibilities to somebody else. It is very simple, but how much we individually have spent time, money and energy over this issue.
Poverty cannot be eradicated until every single person or at least 25% of the people who are well satisfied are ready to share theirs.
Recently i heard about a guy in madurai who has started to work individually on this and his initiative is great. Akshaya patra can be a tool but it cannot be a solution. you, me and everyone who reads this have to take a pledge to take care of one child's education or one poor family. It is up to individual's capacity. We have to support organizations also we have to take initiative on our own and practice it rather than delegating it to someone else.
Another thought provoking blog from you.As the proverb goes "Little drop of water make a mighty ocean" let's join hands together and achieve this.
ReplyDeleteThe number of underprivileged and mal nutritious children is very high. As Akshaya Patra developed trust, it is time for them to lobby the government, and leverage the strength of corporates and educational institutions. Through them, they can cater to a large base of under privileged and help them to lead a better life. The horizon is not far, if we all join hands with Akshaya Patra and other such initiators to tackle the cancerous issues of our nation.
ReplyDeleteTo lift people out of poverty, the ability to purchase (the purchasing power) has to be created.... and education is the only way to empower the next generation so that they get out of the this vicious cycle....
ReplyDeleteYour blog can bring anyone to tears! Though Akshay Patra is just one of the many organizations doing such wonderful work for the underprivileged, I am sure each drop is important to make the ocean the way it is!
ReplyDeleteEven Infosys has such an initiative called the Akshay Patra in which they serve meals to the infoscions. Part of the price of the meal goes to the NGO.
ReplyDeletegreat stuff dude..!!
your blog stands out because of the effort you take in writing about the pressing issues of the soceity...well written...
ReplyDeleteGud initiative ..Good blog .I am happy that the younger generation is actually interested in these humane endeavors.on my part i will surely mention about the organization and your blog in my GUEST LECTURES that i conduct across India. Very well written expecting more from you .
ReplyDeleteThe effort and initiative of 'akshay patra' is commendable.. and I believe more such initiatives should be implemented..
ReplyDeleteThe problem we face in India is not bad planning, but bad implementation!
It is rudimentary that the concrete n bricks you use to build the building also be strong and not just the blue print...
I think it is time,everyone joined hands for such causes rather than sit back and be mere spectators!
keep writing!
one small spark can lead to a big fire.. a simple call for change can create a revolution...let akshayaptra be that spark and that call..let this be the start of something much bigger...n kudos to you for always using ur blog as a platform to talk about such initiatives.
ReplyDeletegreat work dude...... very nice work
ReplyDeleteEach drop is important to make ocean... and initiatives like yours will go great distance in bringing "Mata Anapurna devi's" ashirwad on these children
All d best!!
Well written....I have seen the Akshay Patra vans in my college but really did'nt know the scale at which they were working...Lets all do our bit....!!
ReplyDeletethis is really a food for a good thought... a thought abt feeding underprivileged children..it's a very good idea to put activities abt these NGOs and invite ppl to help these NGOs to serve more children from many parts of India..Good work man...
ReplyDeletemid-day meal provides nutrition and education to children.
ReplyDeleteBy educating poor children will improve their financial status in future.
This will help to reduce overall poverty and hunger..
so definetely this is needed one...It is very Good initiative
Akshay Patra is just one of the many organizations doing such wonderful work for the underprivileged..I also had come across another.The Naandi Foundation which although is a for profit organization is also involved in supplying food to mid day meal to schools in the hyderabad region.
ReplyDeleteWell done KP, a thought provoking blog.
ReplyDeleteWe do not bother about others, we are only concerned about our lives. I must say I was filled with a bit of guilt while reading.
I consider this blog as a small step towards resolving this social concern.
The facts are true and well compiled by Kartik....
ReplyDeletebut when monetary funds are allotted for the initiatives like mid day meals for the children in government school the fact is only 30-40% of those funds are utilized n where dose the remaining funds goes need not to be explained... so the decayed roots should be eradicated...
Good Work P.K. I feel that most of us including me waste a lot of money on unnecesary things, instead i request every one to give a helping hand to this. People who comment on this Blog please give a helping hand and i will be one among you.
ReplyDeletelet the reason to skip a meal by contributing in AKSHYAPATRA.great post.
ReplyDeleteNanba, (After writing this post, what have you done to make a difference? i am not asking anything materialistic , things that you could change in your routine to make a difference)
ReplyDeleteAll well said, from childhood we have been hearing from our parents and all elder (Dont waste food) but till date apart from donating have WE done anything in our regular routine to make a difference?(Personally i have not)
Just to make everyone aware that we do can make difference ,instead of just posting comment can every one add one or two point that they are doing in their daily routine that will make a difference according to their conscience ....
Let me start it.
Simple Example, we cooked food for 2 people yesterday but the quantity was bit more and the food got wasted, had to through it.
Will try to make sure that every grain counts from this day.
Good gesture.
ReplyDeleteLet us create awareness and fight against hunger & Poverty.Lets all help the needy…
'Radix Malorum Est Cupiditas' is a Biblical/Latin saying, which when roughly translated means 'the love of money is the root of all evil'. Some interpret it as 'greed' being the root of all evil. Either way, in the bigger scheme of things, the idea remains the same. Most of us, me for sure, are in pursuit of an excellence that betrays, in some ways, the essence of humanity. In an effort to be what we aren't, we leave our realities behind us; in an effort to get to the India of tomorrow, we forgo the India of yesterday. Fair, if we take with us the weight of our nation. But we don't, and it's efforts like these that help remind us that we have a duty to fulfill. A duty of helping those less fortunate than ourselves to live a life of purpose and dignity. If we all do what we should, ours will be a 'richer' nation.
ReplyDeleteWell done, KP. And thank you. For the little bit that you're doing, and for the little that you want us to do. God bless.
A subtle article which brings to the fore the grave reality faced by the underprivileged children of today. Its high time the Government and the Corporates join hands to support initiatives like Akshaya Patra !!
ReplyDeleteGreat Article KP!!
ReplyDeleteI believe education would be the best solution for poverty alleviation. These young impressionable minds need knowledge to fire their intellect and the fire in their dreams would be enough to make them achieve great things in their life.
Again Org. like Akshaya Patra should be congratulated for their efforts.
Tx!
This is a great initiative by Akshaya Patra. Hats off to such organizations.
ReplyDeleteWe are always ready to spend money in Watching movies, eating food in expensive restaurants, branded clothing. But when it comes to doing some charity for poor children, we don't have money to share, we have money crisis in family. We find so many excuses to cover it up.
We have to understand that a small help from us can save the future of some child dying in poverty without food. If we don't have money then we can physically go there and help these kids, teach them. If they are educated, they can take care of their family by themselves.
Good Work karthik, even communicating such message via blog is a great help to those children.
For a start we should take it as a personal responsiblity to stop wasting food. It will come handy to someone somewhere
ReplyDeleteThe rate at which our country develops is much slower than the rate at which it becomes poor. The leaders who are supposed to catalyse the growth of the down-trodden are the main decelarators of the process. So lets join our hands with such great hearted organisations and help uplift their state. Its never too late to start now and make a great difference.
ReplyDeleteIts a good initiative. We also could contribute by not wasting food, donating money for education/Akshaya Patra, helping a child to get the education, etc. It would make a great difference.
ReplyDeletelot of ppl waste food daily in our mess too... a bit of food wasted could be a bit of food served for the hungry ! the best way of eradicating any sin is awareness. ppl should b brought in light as to how much resources dey waste daily which inturn could serve many 100's... good initiative dude btw !
ReplyDelete