The Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York recently marked India’s notable progress towards achieving Zero Hunger (SDG 2) during an event hosted at the United Nations Headquarters. The gathering centered on ‘Achievements in Food Security: India’s Strides Towards Sustainable Development Goals.’
A pivotal moment of the occasion was the acknowledgment of The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s extraordinary achievement of serving ‘4 Billion Meals’ under the PM POSHAN Abhiyaan initiative, signifying a significant advancement in nourishing India’s future generations.
Prime Minister Modi praised The Akshaya Patra Foundation for its commitment, highlighting the cultural importance of nutrition and community inherent in Indian customs. His message, conveyed by Ruchira Kamboj, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, lauded the foundation’s milestone, stating, “It is with immense pride and joy that I congratulate the entire team of the Akshaya Patra Foundation on achieving the remarkable milestone of serving 4 Billion Meals.”
Madhu Pandit Dasa, founder-chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, shared the organization’s journey, which began in 2000 and reached its first billion meals milestone in 2012. By 2016, the foundation had served a cumulative total of 2 billion meals, celebrated in the presence of then-President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. In 2019, Akshaya Patra achieved the significant milestone of serving 3 billion cumulative meals, with PM Modi commemorating the occasion.
Renowned figures, including Nobel Laureate and UN SDG advocate Kailash Satyarthi, N R Narayana Murthy, chairman emeritus of Infosys, also delivered speeches at the event, praising Akshaya Patra’s efforts in ensuring children’s access to education through nutritious meals.
The event highlighted India’s food security achievements and the monumental milestone of Akshaya Patra’s 4 billionth meal served, reflecting the nation’s commitment to a sustainable and nourished future for all.
