Akshaya Patra Honoured with the Special Jury Award at Outlook Poshan Innovation Awards 2019

BANGALORE, India - Aug. 5, 2019 - PRLog -- on'ble Vice-President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu conferred the Outlook Poshan Special Jury Award on The Akshaya Patra Foundation in recognition of its valuable contribution in the Urban Nutrition (Institution) category. On the behalf of Akshaya Patra, the Foundation's Vice-Chairman, Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa received the Special Jury Mention Certificate at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Also present at the ceremony was Shri Ruben Banerjee, the Editor-in-Chief of Outlook.

In his address, Hon'ble Vice-President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu highlighted the importance of joint efforts to address malnutrition and acknowledged Outlook India's efforts to bring all the people and institutions working towards this cause on a common platform. He said, "Nutrition is essential for a healthy immune system, higher-order cognitive ability, empowerment of the present and future generations, and therefore, should be a top investment priority for the country." Stating that share and care is the core of the Indian culture, he further added that it is the duty of the state and well-meaning organisations to take care of people who cannot afford and cited Akshaya Patra as one of the organisations performing this duty.

Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of State for Women & Child Development (WCD), supported the endeavour through a video message calling malnutrition a challenge that we as Indians need to meet together and hoping that the winners of Outlook Poshan Awards will inspire many after them so that women and children are protected against the menace that is malnutrition.

Since its inception, Akshaya Patra has been striving to incentivise education and address hunger and malnutrition in India. As the implementing partner of the Government's MDM Scheme, the Foundation serves wholesome mid-day meals to children in 45 locations across 12 states. The Foundation also implements the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Anganwadi feeding programme in eight locations.

On receiving Special Jury Mention Certificate, Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa said, "It is a matter of honour for The Akshaya Patra Foundation to be honoured at this event. It validates our efforts to support the health and education of our children." He further added, "I want to thank our Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri Venkaiah Naidu Ji for presenting us this certificate, and extend my sincere gratitude to the Outlook Group and all the jury members for recognising our efforts."

The Outlook Poshan Innovation Award for the Urban Nutrition category was won by SNEHA (Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action).