Mysuru: Compassion is hard to implement into our lives. But if we see someone showing compassion, we should acknowledge the act.
HR Rajendra, a Central government employee, has been feeding more than 1000 to 2000 hungry people across the city. He takes the leftover food from function halls and gives the same to the needy people at slums, bus stand, railway station and other crowded places. He started doing this after seeing the leftover food thrown out in the drain at a time when people were hungry searching for food.
It all started when Rajendra once got upset after seeing food worth feeding a thousand people was wasted at a wedding. Rajendra along with his family members including wife and children had been to a marriage where more than 1000 people were expected, but just 500 to 600 people turned out for the marriage. When he asked the people in the kitchen, what they would do with the leftover food, they said that they will throw it away. Soon after the wedding, on his way home he witnessed children consuming food thrown in a dustbin in front of a Kalyana Mantap. The incidents upset Rajendra.
Rajendra who underwent depression after the incident, decided to do something for poor and hungry people.
With an intention to provide food for at least 20 needy people, he informed his wife Swetha that ten of his officials who are working in Delhi are coming to Mysuru on an official visit and will be staying in Mysuru for nearly 10 days. He also told his wife that the officials will need home cooked food. Swetha agreed for the same and prepared the food. Rajendra distributed the food prepared by Swetha to needy people who were staying in bus stands and other places. On the ninth day, Swetha’s friend saw Rajendra distributing food to needy people. She immediately called Swetha and told her about it. Rajendra who returned home, told Swetha about what he did with the food for the past nine days, even before she could ask about it. Swetha who was happy for her husband’s kind heartedness said that if he had told her about his plans, she would have prepared food for not only 10 people, but for 50 of them.
Rajendra and his wife Swetha, with the help of three to four volunteers collect food from donors and provide them to the needy people. They collect food from households, function and marriage halls and distribute it among the needy, rehabilitation camps, orphanages and slums in and around Mysuru. The duo is leaving no stone unturned to make India hunger free.
Rajendra spends nearly Rs 35,000-Rs40,000 a month for the remuneration of the volunteers and maintenance of goods vehicle. It has become difficult for Rajendra to arrange money for the good work. But he still believes that he will continue his service for the needy and hungry people.
“I don’t want any people to suffer from hunger. Many people though they dress well, will not have money for food. It’s a great satisfaction, when we provide food to those who are hungry”.
If philanthropists or organizations come forward to support his cause by way of looking after remuneration of volunteers and maintenance of the vehicle, Rajendra’s dream of eradicating hunger in the city can be achieved.
Those who want to donate food and want to work as volunteers can contact Rajendra. Mob: 9886145969.
