Akshaya Patra, the world’s largest NGO -run mid-day meal program, launched its centralized kitchen in Nathdwara with a capacity to provide mid day meals to 75,000 school children. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways C.P. Joshi inaugurated the 32,000 square feet  technology intensive kitchen.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Union Minister C.P. Joshi said “the seeds of Akshaya Patra was sown 11 years back and now it has grown to a tree. “ Commenting on the need to eradicate hunger and promote education in our country the minister said, “Unless in our country children are educated and healthy, our country cannot progress in the right direction.”  He further added that,” to fulfill the requirement of 50 crore skilled workforce younger generation has to come forward”.

Chanchala pathi Dasa, Vice Chairman, Akshaya Patra Foundation, said that “the first phase of the feeding program will cover 32,000 students from 443 schools and which will be extended to 75,000 children.” Through this initiative we have created employment opportunities for 400 people, he added.

Thanking the central and the state government on whose partnership the mid-day meal programme is implemented, Chanchala pathi Dasa said all this was possible because of the unstinting support of all our stakeholders.

Akshaya Patra trustee Ramdas Kamath during the inaugural speech congratulated all the children on the occasion of children’s day.  He said Akshaya Patra has specifically chosen the occasion of children’s day to inaugurate the event so that it reaches the maximum number of students.

Mohan Das Pai, Trustee, Akshaya Patra said he hope the meals that Akshaya Patra serve make the children more strong and intelligent.

The Akshaya Patra unit president Jagmohan Dasa and the sponsor Shree Lalit K Tulsiyan was felicitated as the chief guest during the occasion.

The Nathdwara kitchen has a capacity to churn out 40,000 rotis per hour and two separate steel cauldrons to cook Dal and rice are also in place.

Custom made vehicles are available to transport the cooked food from the kitchen to the schools.

Jagan Mohan Dasa informed that Lalit K Tulsiyan and Radha Devi Joshi family foundation supported Akshaya Patra foundation to set up the hi-tech kitchen which is built at a cost of 5.5 crores.