BURLINGTON, MA —— Akshaya Patra’s annual Boston gala, held on June 1 at the Burlington Marriott in Burlington, MA, brought together a crowd of nearly 400 supporters that would raise over $1 million to support the organization’s mission of ending classroom hunger in India. (Photos by Dyuti Majumdar)
Philanthropist Desh Deshpande, a longtime supporter of Akshaya Patra, called the gathering “a family affair,” celebrating the energy and compassion that continues to drive the organization’s growth.
“The get-together is exhilarating, seeing so many new and longtime supporters pour their hearts out,” said Mr. Deshpande. “It’s refreshing and energizing to see so many people genuinely care to make sure no child is denied education because of hunger.”
Akshaya Patra currently serves 2.2 million hot, nutritious midday meals daily to children across India, helping to lift families out of poverty in a single generation. Deshpande said that the U.S. chapter of Akshaya Patra began in Boston 17 years ago, and has since expanded to over 30 chapters nationwide, collectively helping the organization cross the 5 billion meals milestone.
“The smile on the face of millions of children when they receive a hot midday meal is a fantastic return on investment for all of us,” he added.
This year’s Boston gala was co-chaired by Ajita Bhat, Bela Chandhok, Rajeev Jain, Samantha Gaglani, Venkat Kolluri, and Yoshika Sherring, with Rakesh Kamdar serving as Advisor. The evening featured a powerful keynote by inspirational speaker and musical artist Sparsh Shah, and was emceed by comedian Rajiv Satyal, creating a joyful and uplifting atmosphere.
“Seeing over 400 supporters come together with joy, generosity, and purpose was heartwarming,” said Mr. Kamdar. “Sparsh Shah didn’t just speak – he inspired the audience with his words and music. The response has been incredible—from ‘excellent food’ to ‘an unforgettable evening.’ Moments like these remind us that when compassionate hearts come together, miracles truly happen.”
Kamdar noted that this year’s gala stood out for its vibrant tone and emotional resonance.
“Guests told us they loved the new tone and vibe of the evening, and several said it exceeded their expectations,” he added. “We’re grateful for such overwhelming support for Akshaya Patra’s mission to nourish and educate children across India.”Akshaya Patra is the world’s largest NGO-run school meal program, providing hot, nutritious lunches every school day to children in government and government-aided schools across India. The organization’s goal is to eliminate classroom hunger and break the cycle of poverty by improving access to education.
For more information, visit: https://www.apusa.org
