Amid Valley shutdown, philanthropists pitch in to deliver food to SKIMS patients

SRINAGAR As the sun sets, hundreds of people queue outside Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, for a plate of food prepared by a group of philanthropists.

With shops, public transport and mobile and internet services shut for the past 57 days, after the Centre abrogated Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5, this service is proving to be a blessing for hundreds of patients and their attendants who visit Kashmir’s premier hospital.

A group of 20 businessmen, retired employees and a motley bunch of youngsters in the Lal Bazaar area have been arranging food for those visiting SKIMS hospital since the second week of August. Everyday the group : delivers over 500 plates of cooked rice and vegetables to attendants and patients of the hospital.

“My father has been admitted to the cardiology ward. It is difficult for me to travel to my village to bring food. The shops are shut and mobiles are blocked so I cannot contact my relatives. These people are God sent. A plate of food solves many of my problems,” said south Kashmir resident Riyaz Ahmad, while waiting in the queue.

A senior member of the philanthropist group, who makes these arrangements said that they were distressed to see so many people struggling for food amid the restrictions imposed after Article 370 was revoked.

“We can stop everything during restrictions but we cannot stop people from falling ill. Some people managed to reach the hospital but find it difficult to arrange food as the shops are closed and no transport is available,” said the member, requesting anonymity.

A few youngsters came up with the idea of preparing food – cooked rice and vegetables – and taking them to the hospital. “They initially prepared food at a local cook’s house for a few dozen people but they realised the need was far greater. Therefore, they approached seniors in the area who readily agreed to pitch in,” said a businessman.

“We decided to offer the service regardless of the curfew. Even if bullets are fired we will continue our efforts,” he said.

The group has hired two chefs, who prepare a quintal of rice, vegetables, eggs and pulses everyday, occasionally meat is served.

“We take the food to the hospital in a load carrier. Some 10-12 volunteers help in distributing the food,” said a young man, who is an engineer. “It was difficult to bring the food during the restrictions and also when protests erupted against revocation of the state’s special status.”

“Once we were stopped by (protesting) people at Nowshera. They only let us go after we told them that we were providing relief to people. The CRPF men stopped us and let us go when we told them that we were supplying food to the hospital,” he said.

EVERYDAY THE GROUP DELIVERS OVER 500 PLATES OF COOKED RICE AND VEGETABLES TO ATTENDANTS AND PATIENTS