Bangalore, 06 April, 2018: The Akshaya Patra Foundation has appointed Ms. Divya Sathyaraj as its Goodwill Ambassador. With her staunch belief equating food to medicine, Ms. Sathyaraj has been working as a professional nutritionist. She has been conducting workshops with children on the significance of vitamin therapy and nutrition. She has also conducted multiple workshops with children at refugee camps. During her school and college days, Ms Sathyaraj has actively participated as a volunteer for NGOs in Chennai. Currently, she is working on her book on food and nutrition.

Akshaya Patra, in its capacity as the implementing partner of the Government of India’s Mid-Day Meal Programme, has been working to increase the nutritional intake of children by providing them a wholesome meal.

Speaking on the development, Mr Shridhar Venkat, CEO of Akshaya Patra, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome Ms Sathyaraj as Akshaya Patra’s goodwill ambassador. Her participation is an expression of her interest to serve children. It has always been our attempt to encourage young and skilled individual to support our cause with their talents.” “It is important to note that community involvement is essential when we are working to serve children across the country. It is imperative that we, as conscious individuals do what we can, to improve the community and our society, and we are delighted to have Ms Sathyaraj with us. With her on board, we will be furthering our efforts to realise the twin objectives of spreading awareness about nutrition and enhancing the nutritional value of our mid-day meal,” he added.

On being appointed as the ambassador, Ms. Sathyaraj said, “As a nutritionist I strongly believe that a healthy diet will have a profound effect on a child’s well-being; a child’s body needs nutrition, not just food. Akshaya Patra has done incredible work to end classroom hunger. Leaders like President Barack Obama have appreciated the Foundation’s outstanding work in feeding children. I completely resonate with the vision and goals of Akshaya Patra and, I am truly honoured and privileged to be chosen as the organisation’s goodwill ambassador.”

Ms. Sathyaraj is the daughter of well-known South Indian actor, Sathyaraj.