Meet Pavitra, a student of Chikkasandra Government Higher Primary School. It's summer time which means holidays are around the corner. The students are done with their exams so the classroom strength is rather scanty when compared to the rest of the year. Most of the students are already travelling out of town to visit their native places with their parents. However, Pavitra and her brother continue coming to school and will do so until the last working day. When asked why, she promptly says, "Because we get lunch at school."pavitra-bangalore

Pavitra and her older brother are a part of a group of children who are originally from Davanagere. They are brought down to Bangalore by volunteers from a Trust that shelters children with single parents who are facing grave financial troubles. Pavitra and her brother were not aware of the mid-day meal provided by Akshaya Patra at their school before they enrolled themselves. According to her teachers, Pavitra was a shy 11-year-old girl when she joined school. She was surprised that they got a free meal at school and hence a little hesitant to eat freely. But looking at her classmates relishing the meal, Pavitra and her brother also started eating properly.

Now it has been a year since she came and she has grown up to be quite confident. "School is a place where children not only come to get educated, but also to grow up socially. Pavitra is a smart girl with a bright future. We are doing our best to provide her with all the education and strength she needs to achieve her dreams," says Nagaraj, Head Master, Chikkasandra Government Higher Primary School.