Idea Cellular an Aditya Birla Group Company, as a part of its CSR initiative has partnered with Akshaya Patra supporting its cause to end ‘child hunger’  and endeavour to provide better quality food through the Mid-day Meal Programme.  To mark this collaboration an Idea Cellular Limited launch event was held in the Akshaya Patra Kitchens across three different locations in Gujarat. The first event was held on 10 December at Vadodara followed by the Gandhinagar Kitchen on 11 December and at the Surat kitchen on 12 December, 2015.

Dignitaries, namely Siddhartha Banerjee (Circle Head – HR Operations, Idea Cellular Limited, Gujarat), Animesh Chanda (Sales Head- Idea Cellular Limited, Gujarat), Sakthi Srinivasan (AVP- Idea Cellular Limited, Gujarat) and Suraj Prasad (Finance Head-Idea Cellular Limited, Gujarat) graced the occasion. Mr. Kaushik Pandya, GM-HR Gujarat along with respective site Operation Managers represented Akshaya Patra at the launch events held at Vadodara, Gandhinagar and Surat respectively.

The event commenced with the signature welcoming of the guests who were then taken around the kitchen facility where they learnt about the cooking, pre-processing, storing, lab testing and post production processes of the Akshaya Patra kitchens. The dignitaries also visited nearby schools in all the three locations where they were welcomed with ‘tilaks’ and flowers followed by the Head Master’s welcome speech.

There was a line-up of performances put up by the school children especially for the dignitaries who were left thrilled and delighted by the group song and dance performances. Special mention goes to a student of Shilaj Primary School in Gandhinagar, where the student gave a wonderful speech in English on ‘communication’; he beautifully narrated how communication happened in olden days and how it has gradually evolved to people using smartphones these days.  The catchy Idea slogan “No ullu banawing” was also well incorporated in his speech.  The guests later interacted with the student and handed out presents.

Mr. Animesh Chanda, Sales Head- Idea Cellular Limited Gujarat, acknowledging the Foundation’s endeavour at Vadodara commented, “Great initiatives & a noble cause to be associated with. Akshay patra is a trend setter motivating all of us to think beyond ordinary & beyond material pleasure to give back to the society of which we are an integral part. Idea pariwar is delighted to be associated with you all. May your patra be always Akshay.”

Across all the three locations, the event wrapped up with a note of thanks by Kaushik Pandya (GM-HR, Akshaya Patra, Gujarat) who praised the remarkable partnership between Idea and Akshaya Patra followed by the symbolic food serving to the school students by the guests who also shared some lights moments with everyone around.