The multi-level kitchen is designed to provide over 25,000 nutritious meals daily to students in government and government-aided schools
The Akshaya Patra Foundation has strengthened its long-standing partnership with Deutsche Bank to combat classroom hunger by initiating the construction of a state-of-the-art kitchen in Shivajinagar, Pune. The facility, set to open in early 2026, will play a pivotal role in the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme, enhancing the lives of underprivileged children across Pune.
The multi-level kitchen is designed to provide over 25,000 nutritious meals daily to students in government and government-aided schools. The initiative aims to improve school attendance, academic performance, and the overall health of marginalized children. In addition to addressing education and nutrition, the kitchen will create employment opportunities and support local agriculture, driving economic growth in the community.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Mr. Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank Group, India, Shri Sampati Dasa, Regional President – Pune at The Akshaya Patra Foundation, and Shri Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. In his address, Mr. Shaparia emphasized Deutsche Bank’s commitment to creating lasting social impact through collaboration, particularly in addressing hunger and empowering children through education.
Shridhar Venkat expressed gratitude for the support from Deutsche Bank and the Government of Maharashtra, highlighting that the new kitchen will enable Akshaya Patra to scale its operations, serving over 25,000 students daily. He further reiterated the importance of the partnership in addressing classroom hunger and promoting education.
Since 2014, Deutsche Bank has supported Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal initiative in Pune, Bengaluru, and Jaipur, contributing to over 8 crore meals provided to children. This new kitchen in Pune, along with additional support for 2,000 children in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, will significantly expand the reach of the PM POSHAN scheme in Maharashtra.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation has been a key player in the fight against classroom hunger in India. Through the implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme, the foundation reaches over 2.25 million children across 23,000 schools, ensuring nutritious meals every school day. With its focus on using technology to improve efficiency, Akshaya Patra’s kitchens are a model of innovation and sustainability.
Article Credit: punemirror