An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation
How has the Foundation adapted its CSR engagement strategies in response to evolving corporate social responsibility trends?
The Akshaya Patra Foundation has continually evolved its CSR engagement strategies to align with the dynamic landscape of corporate social responsibility. In recent years, we have strengthened our collaborations with the Central and State Governments, alongside fostering robust partnerships with corporate and individual donors. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures that our initiatives are both scalable and sustainable, allowing us to extend our reach and impact. We focus on creating tailored engagement opportunities that resonate with our partners’ goals, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and mutual benefits.
What role do CSR contributions play in scaling Akshaya Patra’s operations to reach more children across India?
CSR contributions are vital to our mission, enabling us to scale operations and enhance our reach across the country. These funds directly support our mid-day meal program, helping us to serve nutritious meals to over 2.25 million children across 16 States & 2 UT’s in the country, daily. Moreover, CSR partnerships facilitate capacity building, technological upgrades, and infrastructural development, which are crucial for expanding our service footprint and enhancing operational efficiency.
What has been the most rewarding part of leading Akshaya Patra? Are there any personal experiences with the communities you serve that have left a lasting impression on you?
Leading Akshaya Patra is immensely rewarding, especially when witnessing the direct impact of our work on children’s health, education, and futures. A particularly poignant moment for me was during a visit to one of our schools, where a young girl told me that our meals are not only her primary source of nutrition but also her motivation to attend school. Such interactions reaffirm our commitment and the profound difference we make in these young lives.
Can you elaborate on how Akshaya Patra leverages technology to enhance efficiency and transparency in its operations?
Efficiency and scale are critical to our mission. Akshaya Patra’s semiautomated kitchens can prepare up to 100,000 meals daily while ensuring hygiene and consistency. Automated recipe adherence maintains taste and nutrition, while ERP systems optimise inventory, logistics and costing. GPS tracking and route optimisation further enhance timely delivery. Our founder-chairman, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa envisioned these advancements to maximise impact— technology in service of humanity. The integration of innovation ensures that our meals reach children safely, on time and in the best possible quality.
As we look towards the next decade, what are the key areas of focus for Akshaya Patra? Are there new initiatives or partnerships that you are particularly excited about?
Looking ahead, our focus will remain on expanding our reach to serve more children and exploring holistic child development programs. We are particularly excited about initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education through integrated learning programs. New partnerships, both within India and globally, will be crucial to realizing these goals, enabling us to leverage additional resources and expertise.
With Akshaya Patra expanding its reach globally, how do you ensure that the organization’s core values and mission are upheld across diverse cultural contexts?
As we expand globally, maintaining our core values and mission is paramount. We ensure this by ingraining our philosophy and operational ethos in every new team and partner, supported by rigorous training and orientation programs. Regular audits and feedback mechanisms also allow us to maintain alignment with our mission across all geographies.
What measurable impact has the mid-day meal program had on children’s education, health, and attendance in schools?
Statistically, the mid-day meal program has significantly improved school attendance, academic performance, and health indicators among children. Regular health check-ups and impact assessments validate these improvements, making the program a crucial component of educational infrastructure.
Beyond mid-day meals, what other initiatives has Akshaya Patra undertaken to address child nutrition and education?
At Akshaya Patra, while our core mission continues to focus on delivering hot and nutritious mid-day meals to children, we have broadened our approach to include several complementary initiatives. A key area of our expansion is the enhancement of school infrastructure, particularly in developing dedicated areas within schools where children can comfortably consume their meals. This not only dignifies the mealtime experience but also underscores the importance of a hygienic and structured environment for eating.
Furthermore, recognizing that education is the foundation for a brighter future, we have initiated the “Giving Every Dream A Chance” project. This initiative is designed to identify and nurture the unique talents of children across various fields such as sports, arts, and academics, providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to pursue their dreams.
These efforts are all integrated with our ongoing commitment to child well-being, ensuring that our interventions are comprehensive and contribute meaningfully to the holistic development of the children we serve.
What future goals does the Foundation have to expand its contribution to child welfare and food security in India?
At The Akshaya Patra Foundation, our vision for the future is deeply connected to our commitment to nourishing the leaders of tomorrow. We aim to significantly scale up our reach by providing nutritious meals to over five million children daily across India. This expansion isn’t just about numbers; it’s about enhancing the quality of nutrition we offer, ensuring we support the holistic development of each child.
Innovation in meal production and delivery is another critical area. We are investing in technological advancements to streamline our operations and increase efficiency. This includes adopting sustainable practices that reduce waste and environmental impact, aligning with our ethos of responsibility towards the planet.
How has Akshaya Patra contributed to employment generation in local communities through its operations?
Akshaya Patra has been a significant contributor to local employment, across both our centralized & decentralized kitchen models. These models not only aids in employment generation but also in skill development among the youth and women in rural and semi-urban areas. By sourcing ingredients locally, we also support the agricultural sector, creating a sustainable ecosystem of benefits.
