AstraZeneca India Private Limited has donated INR 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 society. Each ‘Shakti kit’ is worth INR 825 and includes iron-rich ayurvedic supplements, three-ply face masks and a malt-based protein mix.
The donation is for the distribution of 5,000 ‘Shakti Kits’ in two districts – Yadgir and Raichur – in Karnataka.
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, “We believe that our future depends on healthy people, a healthy society and a healthy planet. We also believe that these elements are interconnected and that together it is our responsibility to build a sustainable future.”
AstraZeneca India, the services arm of AstraZeneca, a leading science-led biopharmaceutical company, 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 ‘Shakti Kits aim to support anemic 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 to infants.
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 program in the state by donating android tablets to underprivileged students in a bid to bridge the digital divide created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to The National Family Health Survey 2019-20, Karnataka has approximately 97,000 pregnant women per month, out of which 43,211 women were found to be anemic.
Lauding the joint endeavor, Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, I.A.S, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Government of Karnataka, said, “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.”
A collaborative approach to this partnership can also allow access to these Shakti Kits to pregnant and lactating women in other parts of the country.
