News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (May 16, 2026 - May 22, 2026) May 22, 2026 7 T he Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Boston Chapter raised $1 million during its annual Boston Gala held May 3 at the Boston Marriott Burlington, bringing together civic leaders, philanthropists, volunteers and community supporters to advance the organization’s mission of ending class- room hunger in India. The event highlighted the foundation’s ongoing efforts to provide nutritious school meals to children across India and emphasized the role of the Boston com- munity in supporting access to educa- tion through nutrition initiatives. Special guests included Vinita Gupta and Desh Deshpande, who spoke about the organization’s impact and the impor- tance of community-driven philanthro- py. Organizers noted that Deshpande has played a significant role in expand- ing awareness of Akshaya Patra’s mission across the United States. The evening also featured a musical performance by Shirish Nimgaonkar, while emcee Aditi Lamba guided the program. Guests learned about Akshaya Patra’s large-scale school meal initiatives and opportunities to support efforts aimed at ensuring children have the nourishment needed to learn and succeed. “Boston has always been a city that leads with heart and action,” said Rakesh Kamdar. “This gala brought together lead- ers and philanthropists around a proven, scalable solution, ensuring children have the nourishment they need to learn, thrive, and dream big.” Organizers credited the success of the gala to the efforts of chapter leaders, volunteers and youth ambassadors who helped mobilize community support and raise awareness about classroom hunger. The Boston Chapter acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Manju Sheth, Rajeev Jain, Samantha Ganglani, Yoshika Sherring, Ajita Bhat, Nidhi Singhal, Bela Chandhok, Venkat Kolluri, Neena Grover and Kamdar for their leadership and commitment. The organization also thanked do- nors, sponsors, volunteers and commu- nity partners for supporting the foun- dation’s mission. Special recognition was given to Parina Deva and the Deva family for their leadership in organizing the 2025 Boston Golf Tournament, which helped strengthen community engage- ment efforts. According to the foundation, Akshaya Patra currently provides free mid-day meals to more than 2.35 million children across over 24,000 government schools in India each day. Over the past two decades, the organization has delivered more than 5 billion meals through a net- work of 78 centralized kitchens. For more information, visit Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Boston Gala Raises $1 Million For School Meal Programs In India PHOTO:DYUTI MAJUMDAR By a StaffWriter Aditi Lamba engages the audience during the Akshaya Patra Foundation USA Boston Gala 2026 at the Boston Marriott Burlington, where she served as emcee and kept the crowd energized throughout the evening. Akshaya Patra Michigan Chapter Hosts ‘Music For Meals’ Charity Event T he Michigan chapter of The Akshaya Patra Foun- dation USA hosted a successful charity and cul- tural evening titled “Music for Meals” on May 9, 2026, at the Novi Civic Center, bringing together community members, sponsors and supporters to raise awareness and support for child nutrition and education initiatives. The event highlighted the organization’s mission of ensuring that no child is deprived of education because of hunger. Attendees from across the community gath- ered for an evening of music, culture and philanthropy in support of school meal programs benefiting children in India. The program featured live musical entertainment by Sargam Desi Rhythm, whose performances received en- thusiastic appreciation from the audience. Several local artists and performers also participated in the evening, presenting cultural and musical acts that added energy and warmth to the program. Organizers said the event was the result of months of planning and outreach efforts by volunteers of the Akshaya Patra Michigan Chapter, who worked to increase awareness about the importance of mid-day meals in improving school attendance, nutrition and educational outcomes for children. Sponsors and supporters shared their appreciation for the organization’s humanitarian efforts and its role in addressing classroom hunger through nutrition and edu- cational support programs. Many attendees praised the foundation’s continued impact on millions of children and families through its large-scale meal initiatives. Michigan Chapter Chair Sampath Prahlad addressed the gathering and reflected on the chapter’s journey, community service efforts and previous fundraising initiatives. He also discussed upcoming plans, including a summer golf fundraiser and future outreach programs aimed at expanding community participation and aware- ness. Organizers said the success of “Music for Meals” dem- onstrated the strength of collective community support and compassion. The evening celebrated not only music and culture, but also a shared commitment toward help- ing provide nutritious meals and educational opportuni- ties for children in need. By Prachi Jaitly Attendees, volunteers and performers pose for a group photo during the “Music for Meals” charity event hosted by the Michigan chapter of The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA at the Novi Civic Center on May 9, 2026. PHOTO:ORGANIZERS