I was invited by Quaker India, to be a part of Quaker Feed A Child campaign in Chennai this week. Quaker Feed A Child is an initiative that aims to bring a fistful of nutrition to lakhs of underprivileged children. To mark the launch, Quaker India along with celebrity Chef and Nutrition Brand Ambassador of PepsiCo Vikas Khanna was present for the cause. Popular actresses Shriya Saran and Meenakshi Dixit also wholeheartedly joined to share a meal with the children to mark the occasion.
Completely ignoring the scorching heat children came over happily wearing green caps and welcomed New York based Michelin starred celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, noted actresses Shirya Saran and Meenakshi Dikshit.
Deepika Warrier, Vice President - Nutrition Category PepsiCo India, says "According to recent reports nearly 3,000 children die daily in India due to poor diet related cases and hunger."
To combat this problem Quaker Feed A Child has committed to serve 200,000 under privileged children in India through various initiatives like Cook With Smile, Dine With Smile, Million Dollar through Smile Foundation.
Giving back to the society was the essence of the event, actress Shriya Saran recalls how her trips to a blind school in Delhi in her school days had a marking impression that later she opened a spa for visually challenged people in Mumbai. She said "I pledge my support to the Quaker Feed A Child initiative and applaud Quaker India and Smile Foundation for their efforts to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children in Tamilnadu."
In the same line PepsiCo's Nutrition Ambassador , Vikas Khanna said "The problem of hunger and malnutrition in India cannot be solved in a day and certainly can't be achievable by one person or entity, so if each of us makes small effort to help even one child, then only we can take a big leap towards ensuring no child sleeps without food."
Echoing the same sentiments actress Meenakshi Dixit said "Even after getting success in my film career, I was not getting inner peace. So when Smile Foundation approached me for supporting this initiative by Quaker, I grabbed the opportunity. I whole heartedly pledge my support to Quaker Feed A Child and urge everyone to feed one child everyday."
Later all the kids got a cap signed by none other than the handsome, humble chef -Vikas with a smile. And when the children enjoyed a fulfilling meal, this was the biggest take away.
I was feeling privileged to be a part of this wonderful event. Also meeting maestro Vikas Khanna was itself a dream come true. Leaving you with some memorable pictures of Quaker Feed A Child event.
