Madhu Pandit Dasa is the founder and visionary leader behind the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bengaluru, Karnataka, one of India’s most recognised NGOs working to eliminate classroom hunger. Madhu Pandit Dasa started the organisation in 2000 with a belief that no child should be deprived of education because of hunger. His commitment to charity and social service helped transform a small feeding initiative into one of the world’s largest school meal programmes operated by an NGO.

The vision of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, Bengaluru, Karnataka, is to ensure that every child has access to education without the barrier of hunger. Its mission is to nurture healthy, well-nourished children with nutritious meals and nutrition support while enhancing health, learning and school attendance for millions of vulnerable children. Prominent projects include the PM POSHAN Programme, Anganwadi Feeding Programme, Morning Nutrition Programme, Scholarship Programme, and relief programmes. Through these efforts, the NGO contributes to social work and child welfare in India.

Madhu Pandit Dasa has guided the NGO in building partnerships with government agencies and leading corporate supporters such as IndusInd Bank, Cargill, The Hans Foundation, Galway Foundation, and Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT). The organisation works closely with the Government of India and various state governments through public-private partnerships. Thousands of supporters, donors, and volunteers contribute to the NGO’s mission of creating a hunger-free and educated India.