Sachin J – A Silent Performer!

There is joy in Sachin's household as he has scored 87 per cent in the recently concluded SSLC Board Exams. Sachin and his 14-year old sister study in Government High School, Seshadripuram, Bangalore. His father is a tailor and earns Rs 80/- to Rs 100/- per day. His mother adds another Rs. 10/- per day to the daily family income by assisting him. 

Sachin wants to get a Diploma in electronics and communication, earn some money and then go for a degree. He hopes that he gets some support so that he is able to complete his education.

Sachin’s mother says, "I am so happy that Sachin and his sister get hot, fresh meals in school and never return hungry. His health has also improved now compared to the past when he was very lean and did not get sufficient nutrition." Sachin says, "Once I have my lunch in the school, I don't feel hunger pangs till I come home in the evening."

Sachin's father speaks as tears well up in his eyes, "It is not easy to maintain four people on my uncertain income. The Akshaya Patra meals have reduced our stress considerably. We could not have fed children meals with all nutrients that are needed for the physical and mental."

Venila – achieving against odds!

Venila, studying in BBMP High School, Magadi Road, Bangalore, has scored 91.00 per cent in the SSLC Board Exam against great odds and is ecstatic. "I love math and scored 100 per cent," she says happily. Venila wants to be a software engineer. Her family comprises of her parents and a younger brother, who is studying in 6th standard in the same school. They live in a small two-room rented tenement in a lower middle class area. Venila’s father earns an average of around Rs. 7000 selling sarees door-to-door and her mother works in a home-based industry that fetches her around Rs. 1500 per month.

Venila’s mother works from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and normally prepares only one dish in the evening. She says, "I do not have enough time to prepare an elaborate lunch. The lunch that they get in the school is so nutritious that I don't have to worry." She also recognizes that as both children get food in school, they are able to make two ends meet more easily. Venila adds, "I love the experience of eating hot meals from Akshaya Patra with all my friends. The food is so tasty."

Venila’s father does not know whether he can afford full-fledged college education for her. But for now she will continue in the BBMP junior college and get meals from Akshaya Patra, besides paying lower fees compared to other private colleges.

Abdul Khadar Hakeem – Tech Savvy achiever!

Abdul happily shares that he has scored 89.28 per cent in the SSLC Board Exam. He belongs to a lower middle class family. He has also won medals in state and national level science talent searches earlier. He has ambitions of getting a degree in computer engineering. 

His father has studied up to Class VII and mother has no education at all. Abdul has four siblings and all of them have been beneficiaries of Akshaya Patra. He says, "Throughout this period, I had to struggle a lot to make two ends meet. I often did not have enough money to buy clothes or essential commodities to run my house. But I had decided that come what may, I would ensure that all my children get good education and get better jobs than me." He adds, "Akshaya Patra meals have made a big difference to the lives of my children given that we have so many financial problems. More importantly the food is prepared hygienically and is nutritious as it comprises of vegetables, lentils and curd."

Rohini P S – A True Winner!

Rohini has scored a brilliant 94.40 per cent in the SSLC Board Exams. There was pressure from the elders in the family to get Rohini married after SSLC. But after seeing her performance the family wants her to continue her studies. 

She belongs to an economically challenged family and this makes her achievement even more significant. Her father has studied up to Class VII while her mother is illiterate. Rohini’s father is the sole earning member and works in a factory. He frequently absents himself as he suffers from asthma. This results in deductions in his salary and further worsens their situation.

They feel that the Akshaya Patra mid-day meals help them in their struggle for existence.Rohini loves the variety of food and the vegetables that are added to sambar. She feels that the meals are like Krishna’s Prasad and that has given her all strength to get good marks.

Rohini wants to become an engineer but has no idea how much money it would require. She also does not know whether her father would afford her education or how he would arrange for the money. For now, she is enjoying her success and hoping for the best.