Minister Konda Surekha Inaugurates Equipment at Akshaya Patra's Kitchen In Warangal

Konda Surekha, Minister for Environment & Forests and Endowment, was the Chief Guest for the event which was presided over by Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, Trustee & Regional President - The Akshaya Patra Foundation – Telangana & Andhra Pradesh, along with Sathya Ramanan - Head, Emerging Markets and Gold , Sai Aakash - Regional Business Head, Emerging Markets, TVS Shridhar of CPU Head.

This marks a significant milestone in strengthening its operational capacity through the induction of advanced, modern, and technology-driven equipment to efficiently prepare and serve nutritious mid-day meals to school children across the region. The state-of-the-art kitchen equipment was sponsored by leading financial institution HDB Financial Services, significantly enhancing the kitchen’s scale, efficiency, and service delivery capabilities.

The Centralised Kitchen currently prepares and delivers fresh, hygienic, and nutritious mid-day meals to nearly 26,000 children studying in 367 government schools and Anganwadi centres across Warangal and Khilla Warangal mandals in Warangal district, as well as 550 Anganwadi centres in Hanmakonda and Bhimadevarapally mandals in Hanumakonda district.

The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including advanced automated systems capable of cooking rice for 1,000 children in just 15 minutes and preparing sambar for 5,000 children in under two hours. The kitchen also incorporates sustainability-focused infrastructure such as RO-treated water systems and a solar power plant, ensuring eco-friendly operations with zero discharge.

The Minister inaugurated the Office Block and Quality Testing Laboratory, underscoring the Foundation’s strong emphasis on quality assurance, hygiene, and stringent food safety standards. Dignitaries were taken on a guided walk-through of the centralised kitchen and briefed on the end-to-end cooking processes, integration of modern technology, and strict safety and hygiene protocols. During the visit, state-of-the-art kitchen equipment—including an advanced snack production unit, automatic vegetable washing and cutting machines, automated curry-making machines, sambar cauldrons, and high-capacity rice steamers—were inaugurated to enhance efficiency, consistency, and scalability. The dignitaries also flagged off two newly commissioned, custom-built Akshaya Patra food distribution vehicles.

Addressing the gathering, Konda Surekha said, “Srila Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON), envisioned a society where no one should go hungry within a ten-mile radius of a temple. Taking inspiration from his profound vision, The AkshayaPatra Foundation was established to provide unlimited food for education. I wholeheartedly compliment the yeoman services rendered by the Hare Krishna Movement and The AkshayaPatra Foundation to society, particularly in the field of child nutrition and education. The Government of Telangana assures all possible support to further strengthen and expand these noble initiatives.”

Addressing the media, Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji emphasised, “The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s unwavering commitment to providing wholesome and nutritious meals that support children’s health, education, and overall well-being. He stated that the use of modern technology and efficient kitchen systems enables the Foundation to deliver meals at scale while maintaining the highest standards of quality and hygiene. He expressed his sincere gratitude to Konda Surekha for her valuable guidance and steadfast support in expanding Akshaya Patra’s mid-day meal services across the Warangal region. He also conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to HDB Financial Services for generously sponsoring the entire kitchen equipment, which has significantly strengthened the kitchen’s operational capacity. He further thanked the Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Government officials, donors, and well-wishers for their constant encouragement and cooperation, noting that their collective support continues to reinforce Akshaya Patra’s mission of combating classroom hunger and enhancing child nutrition and health”.

The event was attended by distinguished Guests of Honour, including Gundu Sudharani, Mayor, Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation; K. R. Nagaraju, MLA; and Dr. Satya Sharada, IAS, District Collector, Warangal, along with other public representatives, officials, and functionaries of HDB Financial Service and The Akshaya Patra Foundation.