In a powerful testament to the impact of collaboration, Deutsche Bank and The Akshaya Patra Foundation marked a landmark achievement: serving 100 million mid-day meals to school children across India. The milestone was celebrated at an event in Jaipur, bringing together beneficiary children, educators, volunteers, and representatives from both organisations to honour a shared vision – ensuring that hunger never stands in the way of education.
This achievement underscores the transformative role of institutional partnerships in addressing classroom hunger and fostering inclusive education. Through its CSR initiatives, Deutsche Bank has supported Akshaya Patra’s school lunch meal programme for years, enabling the preparation and distribution of hygienic, nutritious meals aligned with the Government of India’s PM POSHAN scheme. By ensuring consistent access to nutrition, the partnership has strengthened children’s physical well-being and created
an environment conducive to learning and social inclusion.
Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank Group India & Emerging Asia, said, “At Deutsche Bank, we believe collaboration is vital to creating lasting social impact, and this milestone reflects what sustained partnerships can achieve. Every meal represents dignity, opportunity, and hope for children who need it most. Together with Akshaya Patra, we are working towards a future where no child’s education is hindered by hunger.”
Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, added, “This milestone is a testament to what sustained collaboration can achieve. Deutsche Bank’s consistent support has enabled us to strengthen our operations, ensuring that nutritious meals reach children reliably every school day. He further said, “I want to thank Deutsche Bank and the Government of India for placing their trust in us. This collaboration is an apt
example of the power of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in creating a robust system to address socioeconomic challenges at a scale.”
Despite progress, classroom hunger and malnutrition remain barriers for children from economically weaker sections. The PM POSHAN scheme plays a critical role in combating these challenges, and partnerships like that of Deutsche Bank and Akshaya Patra complement national efforts by combining institutional support with efficient on-ground implementation.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the programme’s reach and impact- ensuring that more children are nourished, educated, and empowered to realise their full potential.