NGO LENDS A HELPING HAND IN LUDHIANA

LUDHIANA: “What more could one ask for when one gets “bhar pet khana” for just ₹10,” said Amandeep, 25, a mason at Tungaheri village in Raikot, after gorging on a plateful of rice, chapattis, pulse and a vegetable. The best part for Amandeep, camping at the civil hospital as his wife delivered a baby last week, was that he could go for more than one serving.

With queues at “Saadi Rasoi” growing, the scheme, launched by the Red Cross Society in collaboration with NGO Ann Jal Seva Trust on May 7, is serving meal to around 300 people between noon and 4pm daily. And, the poor do not have to fork out even ₹10 at times, as philanthropists are pitching in to pay for them, besides donating ration and other items for the scheme.

Chandar Mohan, who was at receipt counter, said: “On Tuesday, there came a person who paid ₹500 and took 50 receipts. He distributed the receipts among those standing in queue for meal”. A committee of 200-odd people from diverse fields has been formed for to ensure smooth functioning.

Ann Jal Seva Trust president Shiv Ram Saroay said the aim is to extend the affordable meal service to areas where thousands of migrant workers reside. “Given the massive populace, plans for Saadi Rasois at Sherpur, Dhandari, Gill Road and Court Com- plex will be part of the deliberation during our next meeting,” he said.