Food for Thought

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” – Mahatma Gandhi  

Hunger. One of the deadliest afflictions in the world. In an overly populous country like ours, with a population of over 1.2 billion, one fourth of the total population is suffering from hunger. According to a recent survey by the UN World Food Programme, India was rated first among the countries with the most number of hungry people.  Despite all the measures taken by the government to make ration available for the people with the lowest or no income, hunger still prevails.

Not just the government but many NGOs and private organizations have come forward to do their bit in feeding the hungry. In a country as big as ours it’s hard to reach each and every hungry individual. To divide and conquer seems like the only practical solution to eradicate the evil face of hunger. Swearing by this principle, many individuals have taken it upon themselves to feed the hungry around them.

In fact in my very own street such an initiative takes place every day precisely at 12.15 PM.  Annakoot which is an initiative in the Model House Street of Basavanagudi caters free lunch to anyone who cannot afford to buy a midday meal. This initiative, as small as it may seem, feeds destitutes, construction workers who are paid mere wages, their families and anyone else who cannot afford a meal.

If you happen to pass by this street at 12.15PM, you will get to see people queuing up to be fed. Mr. and Mrs. Dhirendra Kumar who run Annakoot can be seen distributing anna or rice from a large container placed below an umbrella. An average of 200 people are being fed every single day throughout the year for past 4 years. Mr. Dhirendra Kumar, with whom I had the pleasure of exchanging a few words, is a man of great zeal towards service. His zest and energy is truly admirable. “All these days it was solely our contribution but now we have begun to accept contributions from anyone who is willing to help. We now have a trust in the name of Annakoot foundation.” says Mr. Dhirendra Kumar.

Their passion and dedication towards feeding the hungry is truly inspiring.