Education is a gift that never runs out!

On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, join our mission. Our charity is named 'Akshaya Patra' – an inexhaustible vessel of nourishment.

Akshaya Patra's mission is to ensure no child is denied education because of an empty stomach. We run the world’s largest school meal program. Every day, we feed 2.35 million school children across over 25,000 schools in India and serve thousands of children daily at schools in the UK. Our meals are hot, fresh, nutritious, and vegetarian. For most of our children, the Akshaya Patra meal is the only guaranteed full meal of the day.

This Janmashtami, gift education and nourishment to children. 🙏

- The Story of Akshaya Patra -

The term "Akshaya Patra" comes from the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. It refers to a miraculous vessel gifted by Lord Krishna to Draupadi, the queen of the Pandavas.

During their exile in the forest, the Pandavas struggled to feed the many sages, saints, and guests who came to visit them. Draupadi, distressed by her inability to provide food, turned to Krishna for help. Moved by her devotion and the nobility of her purpose, Krishna gifted her the Akshaya Patra – a vessel that would provide an endless supply of food until everyone was fed. The vessel in our charity's logo is a symbol of abundance, selfless service, and divine grace.

- Why food is the most noble gift, especially when served at places of education -

Hunger is the greatest barrier to learning. A hungry child cannot focus in class, cannot grow physically or mentally, and often drops out of school simply to survive. Feeding a child is more than charity. It is an act of empowerment. It’s giving a child the strength to sit through school, to dream, to grow, and to break the cycle of poverty.

Vedic teachings revere "Anna Dāna" (the gift of food) as the greatest form of giving.