On April 22, 2023, Akshaya Patra launched its 67th kitchen in Barsana, Uttar Pradesh, made possible due to the generous contribution of Shri Gagan Hasteer.

Shri Mukul Hasteer and Smt Reena Sharma officiated as Chief Guests at the inauguration, which was also attended by our Vice-Chairman, Shri Chanchalapati Dasa, and our National President and Trustee, Shri Bharatarshabha Dasa.

With the capacity of preparing 5,000 meals per day, the new kitchen includes a community hall to organise training and workshops for its employees. Its mid-day meal menu will comprise Roti, Pulav, Kheer, Chanadal Loki, Tehari, Dal and Kala Chana curry as they are a part of the local diet. Such a menu will also help us reach out to more children in the region and contribute to their overall development under the Central Government’s scheme of PM POSHAN Abhiyaan.

The Barsana kitchen is also Akshaya Patra’s first-of-its-kind all-women-run community kitchen; 80% of its workforce will be women, while 20% will be men who will look after the technical operations. Through this, we seek to empower local women with financial independence, decision-making power and technical skills.

We are grateful to the Government of Uttar Pradesh for its constant support towards our initiatives. Through the Barsana kitchen, the sixth kitchen in the state, we will continue to implement various feeding programmes of the Government and impact the lives of those who need our support.