India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Akshaya Patra’s new kitchen in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The state-of-the-art centralised kitchen is spread over an area of 3 acres. It is Akshaya Patra’s 62nd kitchen in the country and fifth in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This kitchen will impact the lives of over 100,000 children through the mid-day meal scheme.
Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were also present at the inaugural function. The event was presided over by the Chairman pf Akshaya Patra Foundation, Madhu Pandit Dasa and Vice-Chairman Chanchalapathi Dasa. The inauguration event was followed by a tour of the kitchen facility and a symbolic serving of meals to the children. PM Modi unequivocally commended Akshaya Patra’s efforts to address hunger and malnutrition in the country through the feeding programme and pledged their support to the organisation’s endeavours.
A memorable interaction with the youth of Kashi. pic.twitter.com/q17Xliu4sY
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2022
Speaking at another event after the Akshaya Patra kitchen launch, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “During the ceremony, I had the privilege of interacting with a few 10 and 12-year-old children from a government school from my city Varanasi. I must say, the next time I come to Varanasi, I should meet the teachers of these students. I was with them for merely 15 minutes, but the kind of talent these kids had, the confidence and the variety in skills they demonstrated… and to think they study in a government school, and come from ordinary families is worth noting.”
