| Publication: | | | | children daily to almost a million is a powerful |
| Bangalore Mirror | | | | demonstration of what's possible when people work |
| Obama's accolade for Akshaya Patra | | | | together. |
| The US President elect found it a sterling example of | | | | "Behavioural, emotional and academic problems are |
| ‘what is possible when people work together' | | | | more prevalent among children with hunger. Hunger |
| The Akshaya Patra mid-day meal programme run by | | | | and malnutrition also make it much more difficult to |
| ISKCON has drawn praise from US President elect | | | | fight AIDS and other public health challenges. By |
| Barack Obama. He appreciated the good work done | | | | feeding children now, you are helping to avoid any |
| by the Akshaya Patra Foundation in a letter that he | | | | negative consequences that would be much more |
| wrote to them before he was elected as President of | | | | difficult and expensive to address later on. |
| United States. | | | | "In just a few years, Akshaya Patra has become the |
| While Obama was on his campaign trail, he heard | | | | largest single feeding program in the world. Your |
| about Akshaya Patra mid-day meal programme of | | | | example of using advanced technologies in central |
| India and took time off to send a congratulatory note. | | | | kitchens to reach children in 5,700 schools is an |
| In the note sent to the head of Akshaya Patra office | | | | imaginative approach that has the potential to serve as |
| in Boston, he writes, "Your use of efficient and | | | | a model for other countries. Thank you again for all of |
| innovative business practices to scale up in just a few | | | | your efforts". Said Madhu Pandit Das, Chairman, |
| years from feeding 1,500 school children daily to almost | | | | Akshaya Patra Foundation, "We hope one day we will |
| a million is a powerful demonstration of what's possible | | | | be able to showcase one of our large kitchens to |
| when people work together." | | | | Barack Obama and demonstrate how our |
| He points out that the Akshaya Patra could serve as | | | | governments and civil societies are working in |
| a model for other countries as well. The letter reads, "I | | | | partnership for the development of our children to bring |
| want to congratulate you and the people of the | | | | about a transformation in the country." |
| Akshaya Patra Foundation for the incredible progress | | | | The other ISKCON authorities too are thrilled to get a |
| you've made in feeding the children of India. Your use | | | | compliment from a personality like Obama. They say |
| of efficient and innovative business practices to scale | | | | that he wants to replicate the programme in African |
| up in just a few years from feeding 7001 school | | | | countries. |