Priyavarshini is an 8th-grade student at C.R.N, GMS Lawspet, Pondicherry. Unlike most children her age, who dream of becoming doctors or engineers, she has set her heart on becoming a chef. “I love cooking,” she says enthusiastically. “My father runs a small street-side eatery. I often help him whenever I am free; mostly, after school or during holidays.”

Watching her father cook and serve people made Priyavarshini realise that she wants to open her own restaurant one day. And her father, Velmurugan, couldn’t be prouder of her ambitions. Talking more about her family, Priyavarshini says, “My mother, Prasanna, works in Chennai in a trust and visits us on weekends.” Priyavarshini is a single child. Since she doesn’t have any siblings, she spends most of my time with the father helping him in his business.

Balancing school and helping at the eatery isn’t always easy, but Priyavarshini remains determined. After school, she spends time studying before heading to her father’s eatery, where she learns new recipes and techniques. Her teachers encourage her passion, often engaging her in discussions about nutrition and different cuisines. Priyavarshini knows the journey to becoming a chef is not simple, but she is willing to work hard for it. With her passion, dedication, and support from her family, she dreams of running a successful restaurant one day, where people can experience the magic of her cooking.

One of her favourite moments of the day is lunchtime at school when she enjoys the Akshaya Patra meals every school day. “I love the sambhar-rice,” she says. The taste reminds her of home. Food has a way of bringing people together, and that’s exactly what she wants to do with her - bring people closer.

Like Priyavarshini, 2.25 million children across India benefit from Akshaya Patra’s school feeding programme. These meals are not just about nutrition; they play a crucial role in ensuring that children can chase their dreams without worrying about hunger. The school feeding programme is Akshaya Patra’s effort to implement PM POSHAN Abhiyaan in government and government-aided scholls across India. And this efforts, align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2 and SDG-4: Eradicating Hunger and Facilitating Quality Education), are shaping a brighter future for these young minds.