CITY NGO HONOURS THE ONES WE LOST
Uday Foundation has organised a two-month drive to distribute food to the underprivileged
The pandemic has left a deep impact on people, especially those who lost their loved ones to the infection. This time last year, the second wave had led to tragic deaths across the country. In memory of the departed souls, Rahul Verma, founder of Uday Foundation, has organised a two-month food drive from April to May. “The food drive is a heartfelt tribute to those who left us without the last goodbye. Last year, same month, coronavirus took a deadly turn.
People were running around in the need of oxygen and medicines. There were no beds in hospitals too. And one of the hardest things was not being able to be with the ill patients. I remember a phone call, when a person called me to ask for a cold drink; he was thirty and his throat was aching. But by the time we reached him, he had passed away. I am still struggling with those daunting memories. Therefore, I decided to come up with this initiative in remembrance of the lost ones; we are conducting this food drive on a daily basis,” shares Verma.
Generally, the foundation distributes free and wholesome khichdi and fruits to the underprivileged families every day outside government hospitals in Delhi. For this food drive, people are donating the food items that their loved ones used to relish. “There’s halwa puri, sweets and what not! We also place a small placard mentioning a few details about the person whose death anniversary it is on the particular day,” adds Verma.
It is a special feeling to do charity in the name of our loved ones, and those who have participated in the drive, agree. Dhriti Katyal, a resident of Delhi, says, “I lost my uncle to Covid-19. We wanted to remember him for his cheerful and happy memories. He used to love gulab jamuns, so we decided to include it in the meals that the foundation distributes. It was such a complete feeling to be a part of this meaningful cause.”
The donors are also inspiring their family, friends and relatives to join the food drive. “During the shradh period, a month dedicated
to the ancestors, which falls in September, we decided to donate to Uday Foundation. Even now, my sister donated in the memory of her loved ones and she
cherished the idea and the whole process. The donor can visit the
place and help in the distribution. It’s a blissful experience,” says Shefali Mittal, a Delhiite.
The food drive is a heartfelt tribute to those who left us due to the Covid-19 pandemic. RAHUL VERMA, Founder, Uday Foundation