According to a latest study and Times of India, India is failing its rural poor with 230 million people being undernourished — the highest for any country in the world. Malnutrition accounts for nearly 50% of child deaths in India as every third adult (aged 15-49 years) is reported to be thin (BMI less than 18.5).
According to the latest report on the state of food insecurity in rural India, more than 1.5 million children are at risk of becoming malnourished because of rising global food prices.
With such statistics, Shree Public Charitable Trust started the Annadana initiative for the locals around Rajarajeshwari Nagar.
The Times of India covered this initiative of ours and the article was published in the monday edition (14th September) on page 5.
They are destitute, some come from broken families and others are left to fend for themselves in the twilight of life - yet hunger is what pains them the most. At times, two square meals a day can even be wishful thinking.
Fortunately, the Shree Public Charitable Trust's (SPCT) Nithya Annadana or daily mass feeding project ushers in that much needed ray of hope. Every day as the clock strikes 1.30 in the afternoon, the young and old start queuing up near the SPCT office to collect their share of food - a healthy and nutritious meal served to over 250 below-poverty line (BPL) people, around the year.
Nurtured under the aegis of Shri Shri Nimishananda, SPCT was set up in 2006 in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. The Nithya Annadana project was initiated in the same year. "Food is such a basic necessity for existence, yet thousands go to bed on an empty stomach every day. We wanted to start at the grassroots level," says Roopa Satish, a trustee.
The downtrodden from several slums in the vicinity of SPCT office have benefited from this project over the years. "Here I can eat a full meal to my heart's content at least once a day. The food is fresh and served with lot of love. I can even pack food for my kids back home," says domestic worker Lakshamamma, who was deserted by her husband.
There are regular variations in the menu -- bisibele bath, tomato rice, pongal, puliyogare rice, lemon rice -- the taste changes on a daily basis. During festival time, sweets are an addition. "On the first day, people kept trying to break the queue as they were sceptical if there would be enough food for all. Today they know everyone will get sufficient food, no matter when and in what numbers they come," says Vani Vasudev, a volunteer with the Trust.
"Sometimes outsiders too contribute to the annadana to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and other auspicious occasions," she adds.
"With regular intake of food, the health of many of these undernourished people has improved. The money they save on food can be utilized to meet other requirements of life," says Ashwini Prasad, also a volunteer.
The Trust has 30 full-time volunteers and around 50 part-time volunteers for specialized activities. Some of their other initiatives include providing a free ambulance service in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, organizing regular health camps, distributing free notebooks and other scholastic aid to rural schools.
Nurtured under the aegis of Shri Shri Nimishananda, SPCT was set up in 2006 in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. The Nithya Annadana project was initiated in the same year. "Food is such a basic necessity for existence, yet thousands go to bed on an empty stomach every day. We wanted to start at the grassroots level," says Roopa Satish, a trustee.
The downtrodden from several slums in the vicinity of SPCT office have benefited from this project over the years. "Here I can eat a full meal to my heart's content at least once a day. The food is fresh and served with lot of love. I can even pack food for my kids back home," says domestic worker Lakshamamma, who was deserted by her husband.
There are regular variations in the menu -- bisibele bath, tomato rice, pongal, puliyogare rice, lemon rice -- the taste changes on a daily basis. During festival time, sweets are an addition. "On the first day, people kept trying to break the queue as they were sceptical if there would be enough food for all. Today they know everyone will get sufficient food, no matter when and in what numbers they come," says Vani Vasudev, a volunteer with the Trust.
"Sometimes outsiders too contribute to the annadana to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and other auspicious occasions," she adds.
"With regular intake of food, the health of many of these undernourished people has improved. The money they save on food can be utilized to meet other requirements of life," says Ashwini Prasad, also a volunteer.
The Trust has 30 full-time volunteers and around 50 part-time volunteers for specialized activities. Some of their other initiatives include providing a free ambulance service in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, organizing regular health camps, distributing free notebooks and other scholastic aid to rural schools.
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