ByIANSlife Features

September 10, 2019 (IANSlife) Announcing yourself a “foodie” and flaunting pictures of fancy food on the social media for 'likes' may be the new way of life, but there are a handful of people who care to differ. For them food is anything, but fancy. It's nourishment. It's survival. And it's about satisfying hunger... one's own and that of others. 

Atul Kapoor and his partner Manika Bhadwar are two such individuals, whose desire to feed as many underprivileged people as one could at the doorstep of government hospitals where medical aid was available for free, but food to aid the medicine wasn’t that drove them to set up Rasoi on Wheels. Seeing their work, contributions started pouring in gradually, and what started out as a hobby, two and half years later became the Rasoi on Wheels Foundation, which runs on the premise, “No one ever became poor by giving.” 

Speaking to IANSlife, Kapoor said: “I come from the hospitality and food & beverages background (having run a successful restaurant called Cuba in Delhi for nearly 15 years), so I understand what it means to have clean, hygenic food with basic presentation. When one gives to people, who do not have the means, I noticed that it was done in such a shoddy manner that there was no dignity left in it. So we set up a small kitchen in Gurgaon and started packing wholesome, hygienic food to distribute to those who couldn’t afford it in a decent and dignified manner. As more and more people became associated with us, we thought why just hospitals, why not whoever and wherever people need us.” 

So Kapoor and Bhadwar have tied up with many play and primary schools and centers where underprivileged kids come to study. Most of these are unrecognised and unregistered schools, which are not included in the government-run mid-day meal scheme. But eversince the Foundation tied up with them, these centers have seen an increase in the number of kids, because their families realise that by sending them there at least one square meal a day is provided for. From 100 kids to now over 450 kids get their daily meal from the Foundation, as do a few old-age homes. 

Shedding light on the work they do, Kapoor said, “Food is a basic requirement. It needs to be hygenic and tasty. Many restaurants and caterers have got in touch with us to take the leftovers, but our ethos is 'dignity and pride'. We don't believe in distributing left over food. We provide freshly cooked food in proper packaging with spoons etc.” 

Interestingly, while the law mandates businesses to portion a part of their profits for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), feeding the hungry isn’t high up on that list. Kapoor explains, “CSR programmes look for tangibles to spend on, like a monument is restored or a hospital built. Because those are testaments to their contribution during audits. Sadly, hunger is a state, not a thing. How does one prove having fed 300 kids. So hunger is not a priority.”  

Though the Foundation still has a few companies contributing to it, the good thing about it is that it doesn’t just bank on donations, but also focuses on Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) by encouraging individual contributions. One can choose from the Foundation's menu the meal to donate, which is prepared in it's kitchens in Gurgaon and delivered by its vans to a pre-decided locations. One can contribute to it regularly or on occasions like a birthday or an anniversary. That the Foundation provides its logistical support, streamlines the whole process.  

Going beyond meals, of late the Foundation has also opened a little school, and is also providing furniture and holding medical camps etc in village pathshaalas. 

And while Bhadwar is at the front end tying up with companies, schools and individuals, Kapoor takes manages the kitchen, the staff and the donors. They start at 4.30 a.m. and the duo's day isn’t done till they have fed at least 600 people. 

You can contribute online at www.rasoiononwheels.com 
Or donate to Rasoi on Wheels Foundation
HDFC Bank: Saket Branch
A/c No: 50200025023573
IFSC Code: 0000043

(This article is a website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without permission of IANSlife)

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

Editing by Ritu Pandey and N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe