AstraZeneca, Akshaya Patra collaborate to provide nutrition kits to pregnant, lactating women in Karnataka

Karnataka: AstraZeneca India Private Limited recently collaborated with The Akshaya Patra Foundation for the distribution of 5,000 ‘Shakti Kits’ in two districts - Yadgir and Raichur - in Karnataka.

The Bengaluru-based NGO’s ‘Shakti Kits’ aim is to support anaemic pregnant and lactating women with necessary nutritional supplements. These kits consist of wheat, green gram dal, ragi, soy protein concentrate, peanuts and sugar, all enriched with the added vitamins and minerals. These kits are also specially designed to extend the nutritional benefits towards infants.

“This collaboration will help us provide the necessary nutritional value needed for pregnant and lactating women to maintain their health and give birth to the healthy future for this country,” said Sundeep Talwar, CMO, The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF).

AstraZeneca India Private Limited has donated Rs 41,25,000 towards the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s initiative in line with its goal to provide access to nutrition and healthcare for all sections of the society. Each ‘Shakti Kit’ is worth Rs 825 and includes iron-rich Ayurvedic supplements, three-ply face masks and malt-based protein mix.

The kits also consist of a particular health supplement for infants which would help the beneficiaries fight concerns surrounding malnutrition including vitamin deficiency.

Acknowledging the collaboration, Siva Padmanabhan, Managing Director, AstraZeneca India Private Limited said, “With this collaboration, we are one step closer towards reaching the collective goal of ending hunger and child malnutrition in India. ”

This initiative is one of the many such CSR projects being run by The Akshaya Patra Foundation in Karnataka. Apart from providing mid-day meals to government school children, the NGO is also running its pilot digital education programme in the state by donating android tablets to underprivileged students in a bid to bridge the digital divide created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lauding the joint endeavour, Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, said, “The Akshaya Patra Foundation is doing a tremendous job in helping all sections of the society grow stronger and healthier together. Their efforts towards eradicating hunger and child malnutrition are already getting positive results and this collaboration will extend support towards the noble cause of providing nutritious food to expecting mothers, particularly in the aspirational districts of Yadgir and Raichur. We are happy that Akshaya Patra Foundation is empowered on Akanksha Platform.”

A collaborative approach to this partnership can also allow the access of these Shakti Kits to pregnant and lactating women in other parts of the country.