By: Dr. Avi Verma

The Akshaya Patra Foundation will host its 2025 Chicago Gala on Sunday, October 5, at 5:00 PM at the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook. The evening promises to be both inspiring and celebratory, bringing together community leaders, philanthropists, and supporters from across the Midwest to champion a shared cause: ensuring nourishment, education, and opportunity for India’s next generation.

The gala will feature Rishad Tobaccowala, globally renowned business strategist and author, as the keynote speaker. Tobaccowala’s insights into leadership, innovation, and purpose-driven impact are expected to inspire the audience while highlighting the transformative role philanthropy can play in shaping lives and communities.

Adding to the evening’s vibrancy, acclaimed musicians Rex Dsouza and Kosha Pandya will perform, blending energy, culture, and celebration to create a truly memorable experience for attendees.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the world’s largest NGO-run school meal program, providing nutritious mid-day meals to millions of children across India. These meals not only support children’s physical health but also enable them to remain in school, empowering them with education and the promise of a brighter future. By addressing hunger, the foundation breaks barriers to learning and opens doors to opportunity for the most underserved children.

Organizers emphasized that the Chicago Gala offers a unique opportunity for the diaspora to engage directly in this mission. Every contribution will help expand Akshaya Patra’s reach, ensuring more children receive nutritious meals daily and continue their education without interruption. Beyond fundraising, the gala will serve as a celebration of compassion, community, and the collective impact that individuals can make when united by a shared purpose.

The evening promises not only to highlight the foundation’s remarkable work but also to inspire ongoing support, reinforcing the importance of education, nutrition, and hope in building a stronger, healthier future for India’s children.