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 ‘अभिगम्योत्तमं दानम्|’

When the giver goes to the needy to give, his is the best gesture of charity – Maharshi Parashar

‘Sometimes, the needy are so weak and helpless, that they do not have the strength even to go and receive help. There are also times when they cannot even ask to receive, although the giver is right before them. In such cases, the giver ought to go to the needy person’s home and complete the gesture.
Moreover, the sacred thought behind any charity is to make good the shortcomings or the lack that exists in society at the social and personal level,’ as written by Shri Aniruddha Bapu in the first volume of Shrimad Purushurtha Granthraj.

Even today, there are families in India who after toiling throughout the day, do not get enough food to eat. How then will such people, who do not get a one-time meal properly, send their children to school? And even if they do, how would these children study? An empty stomach vouches neither complete concentration nor does it helps in building up a child’s health. This, in turn, will cause hindrance in the development of this generation. If the students are provided with good food and nutrition they will not only attend the school but will show continuous improvements in every field. It is with this thought process that Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation and associated organisations started a programme called 'Annapurna Mahaprasadam' in 2007 under the guidance of Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu.

What is Annapurna Mahaprasadam?

Carrying unconditional love in the heart for their Sadguru, a Shraddhavan donates food, and with the same love and reverence, one cooks and feeds the students in the schools. With this selfless service and devotion, the meal is transformed into “Prasad of Mata Annapurna”. And hence, Sadguru Shree Aniruddha Bapu has rightly called it ‘Prasadam’. This is accomplished with the grace of ‘Devi Annapurna’, who fulfils the need of food and provides nutrition to everyone, which is why the programme is named as ‘Annapurna Mahaprasadam’.

The concept of Annapurna Mahaprasadam –

1. Shraddhavans can donate grains, oil, and other necessary (raw) materials under this programme.

2. All the grains and other raw materials donated are distributed among the needy schools at various places.

3. In these schools, Shraddhavans go and cook lunch for the students and then feed them all by themselves.   

4. By making an effort in such a way, a Shraddhavan performs the good deed of donating food as well as by offering the service of cooking food; they seek blessings of their Sadguru which in turn wipes their ill-fate. 

5. Students acquire the essential physical strength required to pursue education through the food served under this programme which in a way is a step in the direction of empowering India.

The Objective of Annapurna Mahaprasadam -

The programme has been initiated with the objective to provide school children with balanced and nutritious diet in their schools and that to encourage parents to send their children to school every day, atleast with the thought of receiving afternoon meal. Thus, this programme has been initiated to overcome the problems related to hunger and education.