Bangalore, India, February 12, 2019 --(PR.com)-- He said, �these efforts best illustrate the journey from �I� to �We�. When �I� becomes �We,� then we go beyond ourselves and think about the society. When �I� becomes �We,� then we expand the horizons of our thinking. �We� gives more importance to our country, our culture than our individual self.�

Praising the Foundation�s efforts, the Prime Minister also said, �I congratulate you for your remarkable achievements, and wish that you will continue with the same attitude of service and dedication.�

Shri Yogi Adityanath - Honourable Chief Minister of India
Appreciating the efforts of Akshaya Patra, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh stated, �Akshaya Patra will be given the responsibility to serve mid-day meals in 10 new districts and to open its kitchens in another 6 new areas.� He also expressed his appreciation for Akshaya Patra for serving safe, hygienic and tasty meals to pilgrims at Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.

Mohandas Pai - Independent Trustee, Akshaya Patra
Appreciating the Government�s support to Akshaya Patra, Shri Mohandas Pai said �We started the school lunch programme with the feeding of 1,500 children in Bengaluru. We feed 1.7 million children today. This has been possible because of the collective efforts of all the people involved. In the coming years, we aspire to continue serving hygienic and nutritious meals, and increase our reach to 5 million children every school day.�

He also said, �It is the grand vision of the Prime Minister to ensure that every family has access to food, housing, electricity and all other necessities of a dignified, healthy and happy life by the year 2030. We would like to contribute our humble services towards building a developed and prosperous India.�

Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa � Chairman, The Akshaya Patra Foundation
On the occasion, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, said, �The Mid-Day Meal Programme is one of the best things that happened to this nation post-independence. Today, after 18 years, the Programme has started bearing fruits in the form a generation of healthy young citizens.�

He further remarked that the Akshaya Patra initiative as a testimony of the success of a public-private partnership in the social sector. �We are grateful to our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming here to serve the 3 billionth meal. In his encouraging words, Akshaya Patra has become a movement for social change.�

�To build �Poshit Bharat Shikshit Bharat, a Nourished India, Educated India, it is essential that every child is provided with a nutritious diet, a fulfilling education, and a bright future. Civil society joining hands with the Government to solve the social problems of this country is very essential for [the success of] any Government scheme in line with the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, the vision of our Prime Minister� he said. He also thanked the Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath for his continued encouragement and support to the Foundation.�