BKT launches community kitchen in Bhuj for underprivileged students

Bhuj:Balkrishna Industries Limited (BKT), India’s leading manufacturer of off-highway tires, in collaboration with Sarva Mangal Family Trust and the Akshaya Patra Foundation, launched a community kitchen today that will be capable of feeding around 50,000 students enrolled in the neighbouring municipal and government schools on a daily basis. As part of its Corporate social responsibility program, BKT, through this initiative aims to ensure that most under-privileged families are encouraged to send their children to schools as the free mid-day meals will act as a strong pull, and will gradually facilitate in building an educated and self-reliant community.

Arvind Poddar, Chairman & Managing Director, BKT said, “Children are the future of our nation, and for them to lead a life of dignity and empowerment, education is a critical tool. A lot of underprivileged children, unfortunately, do not have access to education and we at BKT, are driven to make a difference in their lives. We believe that interventions like offering mid-day meals can act as a catalyst, which will achieve the dual purposes of retaining kids in schools, as well as offering them a healthy and nutritious diet. We are proud to associate with the Akshaya Patra Foundation for this noble purpose, and we hope that the initiative will go a long way in shaping the future of our community here.”

The inauguration of the community kitchen was held in the presence of distinguished guests including Dr. Nimaben Acharya (MLA – Bhuj), Sri Virendrasinh Jadeja (MLA – Mandvi) and Sri Vinodbhai Chavda ( MP – Kutch). BKT was represented by Sri Arvind Poddar (Chairman & Managing Director) and Sri B.K. Bansal (Director – Finance). Other senior participants included Ms Vandana Tilak (CEO, Akshaya Patra, USA), Sri Shridhar Venkat (CEO, Akshaya Patra, India), Sri Jaganmohan Krishna Das (President – Akshaya Patra, Gujarat) and Sri Manubhai Shah (Founder, Sarva Mangal Family Trust).

DeshGujarat