Feeding the hungry

Gupshup, a conversational engagement platform that is working on using technology for good, cofounded by Beerud Sheth, has helped change millions of lives with its AI solutions.

Meena and Harsh Mandavia's tiffin delivery service has provided over 15,000 free meals and 40,000 rotis to those who need it most during this pandemic.

Since 2019, Gurugram-based Nilay Agarwal has been spending all his free time feeding the hungry and educating the underprivileged children from 10 cities through his NGO Vishalakshi Foundation.

His channel with more than 220 videos—from the iconic Nizami biryani to a non-oven recipe of black forest cake, and thick shakes made from dragon fruit, figs, custard apple and a host of other tropical fruits—has garnered over 7,00,000 subscribers from across the world.

The Sector-28 resident is a computer engineer, who spoke about his initiative ‘Aap Ki Rasoi’ on the show, impressing host and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan.

The food on the menu is also intentionally ‘vegetarian,’ so the service can extend its reach to the needy from diverse religious backgrounds and food habits.

Kickstarted on 5th December 2017 with a few friends, independent of the NGO, is the Roti Ghar. It is their attempt at providing a healthy one-time meal to over 100 underprivileged children and women at the dumping ground in Thane, Mumbai every single day.

As nonprofits and initiatives like Roti Bank India continue to wage war against hunger and food wastage in the urban slums, one unique effort by a Noida-based social activist is catering to over 500 people every day, all at the meagre price of only Rs 5.

Retired IPS officer D Sivanandan and UK-based NRI businessman Nitin Khanapurkar launched the ‘Mumbai Roti Bank’ recently in association with the dabbawalas, where GPS-tracked vans would collect excess food from various eating joints, households, functions and school canteens and distribute it among underprivileged hungry people across Mumbai.

The two drive down to the hospital every Sunday to feed these people who can hardly afford food or accommodation in the Banjara Hills locality, a warm and hearty breakfast. They have not missed this Sunday ritual for over two years now.