Empathy is a quality that few possess. Doctors are a breed that is inherently empathetic, thanks to the nature of their profession. One of Akshaya Patra’s beneficiaries – 10-year-old Revati HR, studying in Std V in Government Higher Primary School (GHPS), Hinkal in Mysuru, has a very specific ambition – to be a pediatrician. The young girl, whose health is fragile, is sensitive to changes in the weather and suffers from headaches as a result. That, perhaps, is what drives her ambition – the fact that she can empathise with these kids. She says, “I like children a lot. I wish to ease their suffering.”

A very shy young girl, Revati comes from a broken home. Her mother committed suicide when she was just three months old. Her father, who remarried after the incident, works as a coolie at a provision store. Her 11-year-old elder sister stays with him, whereas Revati stays with maternal grandmother in a joint family. She sees her father once a week or once a fortnight.  An industrious student, Revati counts English and Kannada as her favourite subjects. “The former is taught by Miss Manjula and the latter by Miss Puttatheya. I also like drawing, dancing and participating in cultural programmes.

Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meals are a big hit with Revati and her classmates. They are also a relief and reassurance for her family that she gets a healthy, wholesome school lunch every day. She enthusiastically states, “The food is tasty, nutritious and hygienic, which is great. The payasam and Bisibele Baath are my favourite. My grandmother always tells me to eat well in school, since I am thin.” Her teachers say that Revati and many other students were initially hesitant about approaching the servers for more helpings, but on seeing that they can indeed have as many helpings as they would like, they started taking more helpings.

We wish Revati every success and hope she brings relief and cheers to young children as a pediatrician!