Akshay Patra to feed 8,000 Vrindavan Mathura widows daily
AGRA: Akshay Patra Foundation, which is working with 12 state governments to provide nutritious midday meals to schoolchildren, pledged on the eve of International Women’s Day to feed 8,000 widows of Vrindavan and Mathura on a daily basis.
The director of the foundation, Dr Bharatshabha Dasa, made this announcement at a programme organised in ‘Maa Dhaam’ ashram in Vrindavan on Wednesday. On the occasion, Akshay Patra also provided meals to 100 ashram inmates, who welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm.
“Akshaya Patra Foundation pledges to provide nutritious meals to 8,000 widows in Vrindavan and Mathura,” said Dr Dasa, adding that at present, the foundation was feeding over 1,000 widows through its distribution centres in the holy city.
“We envision a hunger-free world. At present, the foundation feeds 17 lakh children across India. We believe that everyone deserves a healthy and balanced meal. So, now, we have opened our kitchens to these widows. They can come and eat at our centres,” said Dr Dasa.
Another official associated with Akshay Patra said, “Our foundation has a kitchen in Vrindavan--a three-storey set-up spread over an acre. The meals are transported to various locations with the help of 123 vehicles. The kitchen has the capacity to prepare meals for about two lakh people a day.” In its endeavour to improve the quality of food it serves, Akshay Patra has also included millets and fortified rice in the meals.