Food For Thought: Selfless Service To Society

Food For Thought: Selfless Service To Society

The COVID 19 pandemic has created havoc for all. The consequent lockdowns and shutdowns have further limited people’s functionality, particularly for COVID 19 patients, their families and the old and infirm. For them, the basic responsibility of feeding and being fed despite being ill is a challenge. But then ‘angels’ arrive during the darkest hours to alleviate our sufferings. Many individuals and organisations have come up with food delivery systems, which make it easier for COVID 19 patients and their families.

One such initiative is a free online meal service organised by Ollywood superstar Sabyasachi Mishra, Pravin Agarwal and Bhubaneswar-based Shree Jalaram Sewa Samiti (JSS) Charitable Trust. The service comprises delivering pure vegetarian meals (without onion and garlic) at the doorstep of people in Bhubaneswar.

JSS in association with Smile Please and Smile Project Team has been running the food delivery service since May 17. The team has tied up with two city restaurants, Vineeth’s and Gupta’s, who prepare packaged hygienic meals. These are then collected by volunteers for distribution. They also have two helpline numbers (8895573721, 9438361575) for people to reach out and order food.

People are advised to place an order for lunch before 9 am and dinner before 4 pm to ease the process of coordinating with the restaurants to prepare and package the meals accordingly. They also distribute bread packets to slum dwellers on alternate days. With a small team of around 15 volunteers, they are able to provide about 100-120 meals daily across the Odisha capital.

When the members of JSS Charitable Trust came up with this initiative, they approached Sabyasachi and Pravin Agarwal for support in this noble cause. The two, who were already involved in helping people stuck in different parts of the country to return back home, gladly agreed.

Speaking to My City Links, the President of JSS, Nimesh Kumar Doshi, said, “The motto of Shree Jalaram is ‘bhajan’ (devotion to God) and ‘bhojan’ (food for the hungry). Both go hand-in-hand. When we came to know about this initiative, our entire team was eager to collaborate to carry out the noble deed. This pandemic is such that it is difficult even for relatives and neighbours to come out and help each other. Each one is fighting their own battle in this pandemic. We make sure that the food reaches the person on time and with utmost hygiene. This is our small bit to fulfil our duty towards society.”

Jai Doshi, a member of the initiative, informed, “We commenced this initiative when we noticed people being in a fix with their basic need of food in the harsh times of the pandemic. Being a pure vegetarian myself, I know how difficult it is to find proper home-cooked meals during such times, when cooking becomes a chore. My friends and I teamed up and so far we are happy with the response.

“We give priority to older people and children since they are the most vulnerable. It is a ten-day package, wherein we provide both lunch and dinner to COVID 19 positive patients. It continues for more days if the need arises. Some people are good enough to inform us that they no longer need our services after they are up and doing. This reduces the hassle of providing to someone who is no longer in need. This pandemic has been hard on everyone and we hope people are considerate of each other as well,” he added.

Indeed, during such harsh times of the pandemic, it is refreshing to see people come up with such selfless social service, alleviating the needs and necessities of their fellow beings. A big salute!

Quote

‘This pandemic has been hard on everyone and we hope people are considerate of each other as well’ — Jai Doshi, volunteer