President Droupadi Murmu serves Akshaya Patra’s 5 billionth meal, marks 25 years of service

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Akshaya Patra Foundation celebrated a major milestone of serving 5 billion meals and completing 25 years of service at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. The event was graced by President Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest, along with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as Guest of Honour.

Marking the occasion, the President personally served meals and interacted with children highlighting the importance of nutrition and education in building a developed India. The event, themed “Suposhit and Sushikshit Bharat for Viksit Bharat,” brought together policymakers, philanthropists, educators and beneficiaries of the programme.

In her address, President Murmu praised Akshaya Patra’s contribution to child welfare and said that providing nutritious food and quality education is essential for shaping the nation’s future. She emphasized that initiatives like the PM POSHAN programme have significantly improved school enrolment, attendance, and learning outcomes across the country.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also commended the Foundation’s efforts, calling it a powerful example of public-private partnership. He noted that the initiative is supporting over 2.35 million children daily across multiple states and playing a crucial role in strengthening India’s education system.

Founded by Madhu Pandit Dasa and Chanchalapathi Dasa, the organisation has grown into one of the world’s largest NGO-run school meal programmes. From its beginnings in Bengaluru, it has expanded to 78 locations across 16 states and 3 Union Territories, with the goal of serving 3 million children daily by 2030.

The Foundation’s journey—from serving its first billion meals in 2012 to reaching the 5 billion mark today—reflects its sustained commitment to eliminating classroom hunger. The milestone event reaffirmed the collective resolve of government, civil society, and communities to ensure a healthier, educated, and empowered future for India’s children.