Rajkot juveniles helping feed over 450 people

The context of Covid hitting the masses is not a new story anymore. With that in mind, we all have come across the downsides affecting the lot of us, in terms of our jobs, the accessibility to necessities, beds in hospitals, the scarcity of oxygen and so on. Similar to which is the issue of “food” availability for patients. There have been more than a few instances wherein preparing or getting food in case you are affected by the virus has deemed to be a threat to people’s survival. A member of a family gets infected, maybe affecting others in the family as well and what happens when the homemaker in the house falls prey to the virus? In a state of sickness, it is not possible for a person to make timely meals for people in the house or yet again, for patients at a hospital, what is the likelihood that a proper meal provision is accessible? This is a probable thought that went through the minds of these young men of Rajkot, Gujarat who made it their determination to help such people in need.

The dawn of Akshay Bharti Mitra Mandal…

The noble work that started with 3 people now is furthered with an addition of 22 people. The group goes by the name of ‘Akshay Bharti Mitra Mandal’. With as little as their pocket money at disposal, these youngsters are helping arrange 2-time meals for people. Anil, a resident of Gondal town and essentially the one who came up with the philanthropical notion conferred to two of his friends and initiated the virtuous task of delivering meals every day to people. As Anil put it, as the second wave of Corona hit this year, the number of victims rose with a quicker pace. He started hearing the problem ever so often that patients were either not receiving food on time or that considering the fear it must have put in most people to avoid getting within proximity of those infected. Restaurants were shut too. Times were difficult.

The People…

To begin with, it was just the handful of three friends carrying out the duty of preparing over 200 tiffin boxes every day and deliver them personally to all the patient’s homes. Later as word spread around, more people got involved and offered to help with 25 people currently working together. Altogether spending a sum of 25,000 rupees every day, they are providing morning and evening meals for 450 patients.

Talking about meals…

With that being said, one might wonder what these meals must consist of. Well, rest assured as they are prepared consulting with doctors on the nutrition required for patients infected with Corona. The food being delivered consisted of two varieties of vegetables, lentils, rice, lettuce, buttermilk, and bread. On the contrary, dinner meals consist of curry, khichdi, roti accompanied with a vegetable, and salads as well. All this a phone call away and at your home’s comfort.

Safety first…

The group goes on to mention the Covid safety protocols that are kept in mind throughout their work, be it the preparation of food, the delivery, or while travelling. Deliveries are made to hospitals and homes likewise. Once the team member reaches the house of that of a patient, the diligently ring them

up letting them know their food has arrived followed by which, a patient’s family member aids in the delivery process and receives the tiffin, ensuring that no one gets in any close contact. Anil also claims that fortunately, none of his team members have been infected all thanks to the protocols followed by each of them. He goes on to comment that they do plan on additionally starting tiffin service for the medical staff.

It doesn’t end there…

Altogether the tiffins cost them 70-80 rupees including the packaging. The packaging incorporates the tiffin for the food, utensils meant for the buttermilk and water bottles. He also adds that they aren’t facing any sorts of scarcity in the rations or difficulties for the most part. Along with the tiffin service, they also distribute ration kits to the homeless and poor having distributed over 100 kits so far.

The entire team works in shifts and concurrently work together. While some help with the preparation of the meals, some help with the packaging process, and others with delivery. There is indeed a lot of synergy that goes on amongst the group. They believe that just as other people over the world are taking up on similar initiatives and doing their part, they as well as others should undertake efforts close to theirs to help those in need or suffering so that the burden is shared and not an individual’s alone to bear.