What is the best way to make online donation in India?

Way back in 1750, Benjamin Franklin in a letter to his mother wrote, “I would rather have it said, ‘He lived usefully, than, ‘He died rich’.” Very thoughtful indeed and it puts the reader to ponder on it too! The daily humdrum of life keeps us so engaged that we hardly spare a moment to think beyond ourselves and or meeting our personal needs and goals. We don not even realise when we get into the never-ending rat race and by the time we realise, it’s too late. Thus, it becomes important that we include some activity in our regular routine that will help us remain grounded. And, one of the ways is to support or volunteer for charitable organisations.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an Indian NGO for children that provides nutritious school meals to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools. It is one of the oldest NGO in India to implement the school lunch programme and has been recognised as the world’s largest NGO-run school lunch programme. The Foundation provides meals to more than 1.76 million children in 14,314 schools across 39 locations of 12 states. Over the years, Akshaya Patra has garnered support from all sections of the society and acknowledges that this support is crucial to benefit more children. Hence, the NGO has provided a broad platform for all its supporters to engage with the cause.

Undeniably, finance is an important aspect of any NGO. Akshaya Patra provides an easy, safe, and secure platform for people to contribute NGO donations online. Though a donor can choose to donate through a cheque or a Demand Draft, the Foundation encourages online donations purely due to ease and security. Akshaya Patra carefully and diligently utilises the donations and on an average, 92% of the total cost is used towards meeting the programme cost and 8% towards the programme management cost. Akshaya Patra’s induction to ICAI’s Hall of Fame is a testimony of its transparency and credibility.

While you ensure daily school meals of children by contributing towards the cause, it benefits you too. your contribution towards Akshaya Patra is considered as tax deductible donations. This means any donation of above Rs. 500 to Akshaya Patra will be eligible for 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of Income Tax Act. This way your act of generosity has a double benefit – for the children and for you too.

Well as Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get. But, we make a life by what we give.” So, let your generosity flow and touch young lives who have the zeal to learn but lacks in resources. Your one click can uphold innumerable hopes across the country.