On 17 November, 2005, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore helps serve food to local children, at the Akshaya Patra Foundation in Jaipur, capital of the north-western state of Rajasthan. He is assisted by Akshaya Patra Foundation Vice Chairman Chanchalapati Dasa (centre) and Lady Kristina Moore (second from right). The Government-supported NGO currently feeds close to 273,000 impoverished schoolchildren nationwide through its mid-day meal programme. From 14 to 19 November 2005, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore and his wife Lady Kristina Moore visited India to promote the use of iodized salt and to raise awareness of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Half of the 26 million children born in the country each year are at risk of iodine deficiency disorders such as brain damage, speech and hearing defects, delayed motor development and impaired physical growth, and significant loss in learning ability. During their stay, Sir Roger and Lady Kristina visited New Delhi, the capital, and the states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, where they met with government and local authorities, salt producers, representatives from civil society, the media and UN agencies, as well as with members of Mumbai's feature film industry. They also toured schools and other UNICEF-supported community projects and sites.
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