The Akshaya Patra Foundation, in partnership with Infosys Foundation, inaugurated a high-tech mega centralised kitchen at Khandi, Sangareddy, Telangana. The kitchen, which is spread across 64,438 sq. ft., will provide mid-day meals to over 1,00,000 school children a day in the region. The inauguration was attended by Shri. Kadiyam Srihari, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister & Education Minister, Telangana and Ms. Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation.

The event was held in the presence of Shri. Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation and Shri. Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa, President, Akshaya Patra – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. Kadiyam Srihari, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister & Education Minister for Telangana, said, “I am delighted that the kitchen will serve many more children in the state of Telangana. This school lunch programme is an incentive for children to come to school and get proper education. This is a shining example where the Government, NGOs, corporates and community can all work together for a common cause, especially in service for children, who are the future of our state and the nation.”

Ms. Sudha Murty, Chairperson of Infosys Foundation said, “I am extremely delighted to be a part of this landmark achievement of establishing this kitchen in Telangana. It is our common objective to eradicate hunger among school-going children and promote education. When children have proper food, they will have the energy to learn better and aspire to become educated, productive and conscious citizens.”

Currently, Akshaya Patra currently serves nutritious and freshly cooked school lunch to 1,54,649 beneficiaries every day which includes mid-day meals to 1,08,494 children in 1,207 schools and 46,155 Anganwadi beneficiaries at 1,386 centres across 7 districts of Telangana. In Andhra Pradesh the foundation serves 74,409 children in 370 schools.