The non-profit organisation Akshaya Patra raised more than $2 million at an event this week to provide free midday meals to underprivileged students in India, the group said.

The 2022 Gratitude Gala in Newark was organised by the tri-state volunteer chapter of the Akshaya Patra Foundation of America and was attended by more than 400 business, non-profit and philanthropic community leaders and professionals, it said in a statement.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of the tri-state community. Funds raised will help Akshaya Patra continue its mission of providing unlimited food for education,” said Shridhar Venkat, CEO of Akshaya Patra India.

According to the statement, the gala featured panel discussions by author and businesswoman Mitzi Perdue, prominent businessman and entrepreneur Ash Ashutosh and Amway Global CEO Milind Pant.

It added that the panel discussed the impact of education on various aspects of life and business, the need for thoughtful philanthropy, and Akshaya Patra’s role in this area.

Dr Rachana Kulkarni, the board member of Akshaya Patra USA and president of the tri-state chapter of Akshaya Patra, said the organisation’s mission that “no child in India should be deprived of education because of hunger” is a powerful weapon in helping underprivileged children.

The statement quoted her as saying that with the midday meal scheme, children and their parents don’t have to choose between food and education because both are covered.