World | India
Delhi launches scheme to feed the poor
Launched on Wednesday by the Delhi government, the campaign, called Aap ki Rasoi (Your Kitchen), aims to feed the poor and the underprivileged in the city.
- IANS
- Published: 00:15 April 17, 2008
New Delhi: Nine-year-old Nizam couldn't wait for his classes to get over. As soon as the bell rang, he rushed to the night shelter near his school in Nizamuddin area where free food was being distributed under the auspices of a programme that aims to rid Delhi of hunger.
Launched on Wednesday by the Delhi government, the campaign, called Aap ki Rasoi (Your Kitchen), aims to feed the poor and the underprivileged in the city.
Lalan Singh, an official of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), said the scheme would be persisted with for at least a year in the night shelter.
"The campaign will be implemented in all the other night shelters in Delhi. The campaign here (in Nizamuddin) will be run for at least a year; free food will be provided to the poor during the day, everyday," Singh said.
More than 300 people of the Nizamuddin slum were served food on the first day of the campaign.
Squatting on the floor along with his six-year-old sister Yasmin and nine-year-old friend Chaman, Nizam worked up a good appetite. "The food here is better than the food that we get in school," he said, licking his fingers.
Corporate participation
The meal includes rice, lentils, a mixed vegetable dish and a dessert.
Walking up to the shelter, 11-year-old Shakeela was quite taken aback at the scene inside. "Free food? I didn't know about it, nor do my parents. I will tell them now," she said.
Singh said the government wanted to encourage corporate houses to adopt similar programmes. "Some corporate houses such as ITC, besides the management of the Akshardham temple, are supporting this cause. But more corporate houses should come forward for such initiatives," he said.
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