Some people stand out not because of some stellar personal achievement but for their selfless devotion to causes that make them ‘walk the talk’, making a difference in someone’s life. Since I was writing up on people who were making a social impact, I had the good fortune of meeting Jagdish Bapat who heads the Education Management/People Function for Azim Premji Foundation, a non-profit organization. He is also involved in several philanthropic activities in Bangalore; in addition to being the HR consultant for WIPRO, dividing his time between charities and his work seamlessly. Along with Smt. Tejaswini Ashwath Kumar he runs the Adamya Chetana a voluntary organization working in the field of social development. Registered in 1998, it has been set up in memory of Smt. Girija Shastry who dedicated her life to serving the poor and underprivileged, despite her personal battle against cancer for two decades. 



The Foundation in Bangalore


Jagdeesh Bapat with few of his workers and my mom


Their mobile Health Center

                                
                               I was amazed by the efficiency with which the whole system steamrolled ahead, making it all work with clockwork precision. The gigantic steel vessels churning out Sambhar and Bisi-Bele-Baath everyday, the huge grinding mills making the required masala for the different curries and food, the huge dish washers and most of all the cheerful faces of the volunteers and hourly employees who make it all happen. Jagdish Bapat is one of the nicest persons I have ever met in my life. A high profile person but very down to earth and as gentle as anyone can ever be. His humble nature and helpful attitude had me and my mom floored. He patiently explained the workings of the whole system and how his entire family is involved in this act of social service. His sister Tejaswini runs the place co-coordinating activities, his brother-in-law the MP from Bangalore Ashwath Kumar donates freely and they all owe it to Smt Girija, Ashwath Kumar’s mother. As we parted Jagdish bent down and touched my mom’s feet seeking her blessings and I was startled with his humility.


Midday Meal Scheme

 

Bisi Bele Baath ready for dispatch to schools

The trust has grown tremendously since its inception, now including Annapoorna (midday meal scheme), Arogya Chetana, Shikshaka Chetana & Arogya Chetana.

Annapoorna is a project reaching hot nutritious, hygienically prepared midday meals to children in partnership with the Govt. It reaches around 1 lakh children in Bangalore, 75,000 children in Hubli, 12,000 children in Gulbarga and 65,000 children in and around Jodhpur, Rajasthan making it one of the biggest midday meal providers anywhere in the world. With the assistance of the Government, volunteers, donors and the corporates they have been able to reach thousands of school children day after day.


Food ready for dispatch


Huge steel vessels used for cooking

They have created a unique process for preparing and delivering hot midday meals to thousands of children across hundreds of schools. They maintain high standards of safety and hygiene every single day. Getting feedback about quality, quantity, taste and time of delivery from every school are distinctive features. They also have a quality lab to assist in maintaining quality parameters which are critical to a midday meal programme.

 The masala being ground for cooking


Stainless steel vessels used for cooking

A nutritious midday meal is one of the cornerstones of the education system in India. Especially for an underprivileged child, a hot, nutritious midday meal everyday goes a long way in building its future. Every paisa here counts and voluntary participation has reduced the costs. The cost is less than Rs 2.00 per meal with the government chipping in some percentage of it.




Natural spring water used for cooking & cleaning accidently discovered . The water is tested everyday and has been found to be 100% pure. It runs from a spring under an ancient temple behind the building. A miracle!

8 tons of Rice gets cooked in 4 hrs, when 4 tankers of Sambar roll out before the lunch hour has begun, when two tons of vegetables get washed, when 3000 stainless steel vessels jostle for vehicle space, when 1000 coconuts provide supplement, 30 vehicles carry wholesome food to 300 schools in busy Bangalore traffic, it is a continuous challenge. Eco-friendly technologies like gasifiers for cooking, plastic free packing and chemical free ingredients in cooking are used.



The food when ready is dispatched to all the schools

But the task is far from done. This cause requires support from multiple stakeholders, who can take this task forward. With like minded people, the journey will be sustainable. The resources for these projects come from various sources. People can adopt a school and bear the deficit cost of midday meals for a year. Or can bear the cost of an entire meal on a particular day. Raw materials, equipment, vehicles etc can be donated in addition to donating time and helping out the children as volunteers.

The contributions are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G of Income Tax Act, 1961 and checks can be written in favor of ‘Smt. Girija Shastry Memorial Trust’.

Contact Info:

Adamya Chetana

84, Ranoji Rao Road,

Basavangudi

Bangalore 560004

Ph: 08026568483

Annapoorna

Sir Pratap School, M.G.H Rd

Jodhpur-342001

Ph: 02913209629

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