Akshaya Patra mega kitchen wows kids

Sangareddy: The children of the summer camp being conducted by Hare Krishna foundation got a chance to witness the 'Mega Kitchen', which has been feeding thousands of kids in the state.

The children were taken to the Akshaya Patra's Mega kitchen in Kandi. The Akshaya Patra foundation provides mid-day meals to over 1,207 government schools in 7 districts of Telangana and 1,386 Anganwadi centres. The foundation has been providing food to over one lakh fifty thousand children. The Mega Kitchen run by the foundation has a capacity of preparing food for more than one lakh people within two hours of time.

As many as 650 children were taken to the trip on Friday. "The purpose of this trip is to make them understand how fortunate they are, by having healthy and delicious food. How this kitchen is serving for thousands of children, who are deprived of this basic necessity," said S Madhavi, the culture department in-charge. Children from all the 9 camp locations of the twin cities, Banjara Hills, Nizampet, Kachiguda, Madinaguda, Dilsukhnagar, Kotahaguda, BHEL, Saroornagar and MLA Colony visited the Mega Kitchen.

The children were explained about the automated kitchen works, processes that takes place without any human involvement. Children witness the process right from how the vegetables are sorted and cleaned to how the leftover food and vegetable peals are going to the decompose pit. They were also explained about the process of decomposition and waste management which is converted into the gas that is used in the kitchen.

"We are accompanied by parents as well; children and parents are mesmerised and excited seeing the process and the activities of the kitchen. The food that they had seen being made was served to them as lavish and delicious lunch," she added.

As part of the trip the children were also taken to visit two temples before they could reach the Mega Kitchen. They were shown and explained the different forms of lord Vishnu and important stories about his incarnations. They spent over 4 hours in the Mega Kitchen

"The summer camp is not only meant for inculcating discipline and education to the children about new technology and enhances their skills but also educates the children about our history, culture and traditions," she added.

Ishaan Teja, a fourth standard student and a member of Krishna group from Kacheguda culture camp said that he was amazed to see the food preparation being done for one lakh people on daily basis at Kandi using huge vessels and kitchen equipment unlike seen in home. "This was a very different and wonderful experience for us, and we also liked the food items served to us," he said.

"It was the biggest and the most wonderful kitchen I have ever seen, we went to a room where the carrots were being washed with the help of a machine. It was really an amazing experience," said Ashirwaad, a student in the summer camp.

"It (Akashya patra) has a very big kitchen like there is a big vessel for cooking rice; curry etc., and also a room to wash vegetables. In that kitchen we ate our food; the food was so nice and delicious. My experience was awesome, and I loved it, I want to go again," said Nidhish Reddy, a student from the summer camp. 

By Maina Manga