Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has joined hands with the Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide support to 1,000 students from government and government-aided schools in Jodhpur, Lucknow, and Visakhapatnam. The partnership is part of HPCL's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and aims to ensure holistic health and well-being for children through nutritious meals.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this initiative was signed on November 7, 2024, by Rajeev Goel, Executive Director - CSR & PRCC, HPCL, and Dhananjay Ganjoo, Chief Marketing Officer of The Akshaya Patra Foundation. Akshaya Patra, a non-profit organisation, implements the PM POSHAN programme to provide "unlimited food for education" to schoolchildren.

Speaking about the initiative, Rajeev Goel said, "At HPCL, we are committed to supporting the young citizens of our country in their efforts to fulfill their aspirations. We hope that the initiative goes a long way in not just fulfilling the nutritional needs of the children but also ensuring better results in their educational endeavors."

Dhananjay Ganjoo highlighted the shared vision, stating, "At the Akshaya Patra Foundation, we firmly believe that nutrition should not hinder a child from achieving their dreams. We are deeply grateful to Rajeev Goel and HPCL for their understanding of our initiatives and enabling us to further reach more children, ensuring their nourishment and a lasting impact on their futures."

This partnership seeks to link nutrition with education, encouraging higher participation in schools and improving children's health. Both organisations aim to empower the next generation by reducing school drop-out rates and helping students reach their full potential.

Established in 2000, The Akshaya Patra Foundation addresses classroom hunger and malnutrition through the PM POSHAN Scheme, serving government and government-aided schools. Starting with just 1,500 students in five schools, it now serves over 2.2 million children across 23,000+ schools in 16 states and 2 union territories in India. Known for its state-of-the-art kitchens, the Foundation continues to leverage technology to provide wholesome meals and bring children to school.

This collaboration marks another step toward ensuring that education and nutrition go hand in hand, fostering a brighter future for young learners.