Event held in Mysuru too to mark the historic occasion

Vrindavan/Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday praised the efforts of Akshaya Patra Foundation run by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) towards eradicating hunger from the country.

The PM served food to underprivileged schoolchildren at Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh yesterday to mark the three billionth meal offered by Akshaya Patra Foundation. “Congratulations to all those associated with this mission. Their efforts towards eradicating hunger are exemplary,” he tweeted.

The PM also unveiled a ceremonial plaque at the event to mark the serving of “3 billionth meal” at Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir campus in this holy city. Funded by International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Akshaya Patra is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the government on mid-day meal schemes.

In Mysuru, Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar lauded Akshaya Patra Foundation’s efforts in serving sumptuous mid-day meals to 1.76 million schoolchildren, across 12 States in the country.

Participating in a programme organised by the Foundation at Sarada Vilas Centenary Hall, Krishnamurthypuram yesterday, he said that it is the responsibility of all to ensure a hunger-free society, especially schoolchildren.

A live coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s programme was telecast at the venue. Sripathi Dasa of the Foundation was present. Rasika Shekara Dasa, Vice-President of ISKCON, Mysuru, explained about the standards maintained in cooking and distribution of Akshaya Patra meals through a video presentation.