World | India
Delhi government sets out to fight hunger on the streets
New scheme calls on corporates to show a heart for social issues
- By Nilima Pathak, Correspondent
- Published: 23:48 May 30, 2008
- Image Credit: Nilima Pathak/Gulf News
- People line up for free meals provided under the New Delhi government's Aap Ki Rasoi scheme.
New Delhi: The state government of New Delhi hopes to eradicate hunger from the streets of the capital region with its "Aap Ki Rasoi" scheme, which literally means "your kitchen".
The new campaign aims to dissuade the poor from rummaging in garbage dumps for leftover food while at the same time addressing the issue of malnutrition.
Corporate houses have been encouraged to participate in the scheme and further their social activism credentials by helping the destitute and checking beggary. Though beggary is banned in the city, practically nothing is being done on a regular basis to enforce the law in this regard.
The Hindustan Times newspaper, the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple and the Iskcon temple helped launch the scheme. Other corporates including The Taj Group of Hotels, ITC and Le Meridien offered to chip in with the distribution of food.
The scheme is part of the government's "Bhagidari" initiative that aims to get NGOs and business houses to adopt areas across the capital where the scheme needs to be implemented.
Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit, while launching the scheme, observed: "The programme has been begun to ensure at least one nutritious meal for the poor out on the streets who are unable to feed themselves. Drinking water would also be made available and people advised to maintain cleanliness by using dustbins to dispose paper plates."
To start with, the scheme is being implemented from night shelters. Cooked food is brought in vehicles and distributed to the needy. At a later stage, the government plans to make available a dedicated kitchen to the donors.
At Jhandewalan, around 300 people are currently being served lunch under the scheme.
Says 65-year-old Shanti, one of the beneficiaries, "My husband drives a horse cart and we have been residing in this area for more than five decades. It is the first time that we have seen such a scheme for the poor. The food is sumptuous and children especially are happy getting rice, lentils, vegetables and roti (Indian bread)."
Four-year-old Sahir and Saurabh, 8, wait impatiently for lunch time each day.
Relishing his food, Saurabh remarked, "I am very fond of rice. Earlier, I rarely got to have it. But now, I request the person who distributes food to give me an extra filling of rice."
A middle-aged woman, who refused to give her name, did not seem so impressed. "The food is half-cooked. When out to do service, people should not take the poor for a ride. Middlemen must be minting money by providing us second-rate food."
Low awareness
The caterer, when informed about the complaint, remarked he was not out to make money by bagging the contract. "I have business in the US and this is my way of fulfilling social commitments."
The campaign is targeted at a large population of the poor, homeless and destitute, besides street children, who often go to sleep on an empty stomach on the city's footpaths.
Although the government has the public good in mind, many potential beneficiaries of the scheme are still not aware of such a scheme in their neighbourhood.
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