Ms Madhuri Pai from Hong Kong had heard about Akshaya Patra and our work in providing free, unlimited food for education to underprivileged children in India. Touched by our cause and convinced about our work, she wanted to do something to help our efforts. Ms Pai decided to celebrate her child's birthday with a difference and different it was.

Ms Pai asked all the friends attending the birthday lunch not to get a gift, and instead, asked them to donate any amount of their choice to Akshaya Patra. "Rich kids these days have way more than what they need. We felt it was a waste of resources (both money and mother nature's resources) to get another load of toys that our kid may or may not play with," she says. "There is such a terrible imbalance when we compare this to the underprivileged kids who have too less."

With this thought the Pais thought it was a wonderful idea to use the birthday celebration to channel some much-needed funds to the children supported by the school meal program of Akshaya Patra. The guests were indeed surprised at the novel idea and everyone came forward and donated generously. Ms Pai was able to raise Rs 25,000 and was very thrilled that some mothers left the party with the resolve to do the same thing on their child's birthday. Taking a step towards making a difference is certainly one thing, but facilitating the difference others choose to make is indeed commendable. A heartfelt thank-you to Mr and Mrs Pai.