In a significant step towards addressing classroom hunger and strengthening child nutrition, Deutsche Bank, in partnership with The Akshaya Patra Foundation, inaugurated a state-of-the-art centralised kitchen facility in Shivajinagar, Pune. The initiative is part of the Government of India’s PM POSHAN programme.

The newly launched kitchen is designed to serve hot, nutritious mid-day meals to 25,000 children across 29 government and government-aided schools in Pune, contributing to improved classroom attendance, better nutrition, and enhanced learning outcomes.

The inauguration ceremony was led by Kaushik Shaparia and Benjamin Alka. Representing Akshaya Patra were Shridhar Venkat, Bharatarshabha Dasa and Sampati Dasa.

Spread across 20,000 sq. ft., the facility is built to high standards of food safety, hygiene, and operational efficiency. Meals will be delivered within a 20-kilometre radius using electric vehicles, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability alongside social impact.
Speaking at the event, Kaushik Shaparia highlighted the importance of investing in people and reaffirmed the shared vision that no child’s education should be hindered by hunger. He also noted that Deutsche Bank’s partnership with Akshaya Patra has surpassed the milestone of 100 million meals served.

Shridhar Venkat emphasised the role of strong public-private partnerships in advancing the goals of PM POSHAN, describing the kitchen as a commitment to children, classrooms and the nation.

This event marks a key milestone in scaling nutrition initiatives and reinforces a shared commitment to building a nourished and educated India. Deutsche Bank and Akshaya Patra’s partnership, which began in 2014, has supported mid-day meals for nearly 500,000 children across multiple cities, alongside disaster relief efforts