Droupadi Murmu to Attend Akshaya Patra Silver Jubilee Event – New Delhi, March 17: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will attend the silver jubilee celebrations of The Akshaya Patra Foundation today, marking 25 years of the organization’s commitment to providing nutritious meals to school children and supporting education across India.
The commemorative event, being held in New Delhi, will celebrate a significant milestone in the foundation’s journey as it completes 25 years of service in addressing classroom hunger and promoting school attendance among children from economically weaker sections. The event will bring together prominent dignitaries, policymakers, corporate leaders, educationists, social sector representatives, and volunteers who have contributed to the foundation’s mission over the years.
During the ceremony, President Murmu is expected to formally acknowledge the foundation’s remarkable achievement of serving over 5 billion meals since its establishment. The milestone highlights the organization’s rapid growth and its contribution to strengthening India’s school meal initiatives aimed at improving nutrition and learning outcomes for children.
The programme will include a series of activities such as keynote addresses, presentations showcasing the foundation’s journey and achievements, cultural performances by students, and discussions on the role of community partnerships in addressing hunger and education challenges. Several leaders from the corporate and development sectors are also expected to share insights on how collaborations between government, civil society, and private institutions can further expand such initiatives.
Founded in the year 2000 in Bengaluru, The Akshaya Patra Foundation began its journey by serving around 1,500 meals to school children. Over the years, it has grown into one of the largest non-profit school meal programmes in the world. Today, the organisation provides freshly cooked, nutritious mid-day meals to more than 2.3 million children daily across multiple states and union territories in India.
The foundation works closely with the Government of India to support the PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) scheme, which aims to enhance child nutrition and encourage regular school attendance. By ensuring that children receive at least one wholesome meal during the school day, the programme has contributed significantly to improving classroom participation and reducing dropout rates.
In her address at the silver jubilee celebration, President Murmu is expected to highlight the importance of such initiatives in strengthening the country’s education system and promoting social equity. She may also commend the efforts of volunteers, donors, corporate partners, and local communities whose continuous support has helped the organisation expand its reach over the years.
The event will also serve as a platform to outline the foundation’s future vision, including plans to expand its meal distribution capacity, adopt advanced food safety technologies, and strengthen partnerships to reach more children in underserved regions.
As The Akshaya Patra Foundation celebrates this 25-year milestone, the silver jubilee event stands as a tribute to the collective efforts of individuals and institutions committed to the cause of ensuring that no child goes to school hungry. The celebration not only reflects on the organization’s impactful journey but also reinforces its mission to continue serving millions of children across the country in the years to come.









