Standing up for your rights

Across the world, people are celebrating today, December 10, as Human Rights Day; a day to acknowledge the needs of the nation, the needs of the world and the basic standards that we as a society have to live up to. One of our most fundamental human rights is the right to adequate food and education.

In 1950, the United Nations recognized the need to stand up and proclaim certain rights and privileges as elementary to a happy, unfettered existence, and in the years since we have strived to provide this to every man, woman and child, across every section of society. A daunting, yet worthy undertaking.

But of all the sections of our society, the most vulnerable, the most innocent and the most pure of thought and motive are the children. And that is who The Akshaya Patra Foundation strives to protect. By believing that no child should be deprived of education because of hunger, The Akshaya Patra Organization struggles to uphold two of the most basic human rights in one swoop.

Understanding that no child can concentrate on learning when their stomachs are empty, Akshaya Patra launched its mid-day meal programme in government schools in nine states across India. Today feeding 1.3 million children every day and aiming for five million by 2020, Akshaya Patra lives by example as a true defender of human rights.

Akshaya Patra knows well the challenges that face a mission such as this. But from a humble beginning of serving only 1500 children in 2000, the mid-day meal programme has now changed into an unstoppable movement sweeping across the nation. Supported by a vast, powerful network of our government, corporate initiatives, foreign funding and well-wishers, The Akshaya Patra Foundation has moved relentlessly towards its goal.

And on this day, as we look around at what we have achieved, and how far we have to go, we feel grateful and humbled by the unwavering support we have gathered for our cause from every corner of the country. And we look forward to a day that every child will be assured enough nutrition and education to see them through life, but till that time Akshaya Patra is here, and remains here, to serve.

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