On 5 March 2025, The Akshaya Patra Foundation received the prestigious ‘Best Civil Society Award’ 2023-24 by the Asian Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability for its exemplary commitment to corporate governance and societal development.

The significant award was bestowed upon Akshaya Patra at the 11th Asia Business Responsibility Summit held at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai. On behalf of the Foundation, Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, the Co-Founder and Vice-Chairman, and Mr Shridhar Venkat, the CEO, received it.

In response to this achievement, Shri Chanchalapathi Dasa, expressed his gratitude and vision, stating, “This award is a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of every individual at The Akshaya Patra Foundation. It reaffirms our resolve to drive positive change within communities by upholding the highest standards of governance and sustainability. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India and State Governments, corporate partners, individual donors and the countless volunteers whose unwavering support has been crucial in our efforts to address classroom hunger and support children’s nutrition and education.”

Mr Shridhar Venkat said, “We are immensely proud and honoured to receive the Best Civil Society Award from the Asian Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability. This award underscores our dedication to excellence in corporate governance and our ongoing commitment to societal development. At Akshaya Patra, we strive to set benchmarks in transparency, accountability and sustainability, which are integral to our mission of ensuring that ‘No child in India is deprived of education because of hunger’. This accolade not only celebrates our achievements but also strengthens our resolve to innovate and enhance our impact.”

The award, which recognises organisations that exemplify outstanding governance and sustainable practices, places Akshaya Patra among an elite group of past recipients, including Wipro Ltd, Tata Steel Ltd and Colgate India Ltd.

Mr Chris Pierce, CEO of Global Governance Services, UK, and Member of the Global Advisory Board at the Asian Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability, bestowed the award. Notable industry leaders, Mr Suresh Narayanan - CMD of Nestle Ltd, Mr Sameer Mehta - Chair of Torrent Power Ltd, Mr Venu Srinivasan - Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Co, Mr Peyush Bansal, Amit Choudhary and Sumeet Kapathi of Lenskart were also honoured on the occasion. The ceremony celebrated the outstanding contributions of these leaders in their respective fields.