Meal for just Rs10, but also ample food for thought

Rahul Devesh &Prabhat Katiyar

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Good food is always tempting, but when it is available for Rs 10, it also generates curiosity. This was the sentiment palpable outside the office of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) in Phase 8, Mohali, on Tuesday afternoon. Scores of people from all walks of life —- rickshaw-pullers, security guards, vendors, visitors or office-goers – were eagerly waiting for the “Sasta Bhojan”.

An initiative of the Mohali administration, in collaboration with Red Cross Society, the scheme had gained appreciation a day before when a tempo carrying the food parked there for the first time, serving two rumali rotis with sukhi sabzi. “What more can you expect? It is cheap, hygienic and tastes good. You can sit with us and enjoy the food,” said Sonu, a cloth vendor. “I have not brought my lunch from home. I will relish it for Rs 10 today,” said Amir Khan, a security guard at the PSEB building, with a smile.

However, after 45 minutes, they were bit disappointed when the tempo did not turn up. A man showed a report about the launch of the initiative in a Hindi daily, asking us to call the authorities to know as to when the vehicle would arrive. An employee of the board, standing near a juice vendor, was heard talking to someone on his iPhone 6, “Madamji nu keh diyo, aaj bhai nahin aaya. Tiffin mangwa lau.”

But those at the District Judicial Complex in Sector 76 were lucky. They have been getting the special food for the past one week without any interruption. After waiting for an hour at the PSEB office, we had a glimpse of the much-awaited tempo carrying “Sasta Bhojan”. The tempo was covered by a simple green cloth with attendants standing near it.

A man standing under a tree was distributing coupons while two others were distributing food packets. Nearby stood a middle-aged but well-dressed supervisor. He worked for the Red Cross Society, bearing a sense of responsibility. He had a register in his hand and was eager to share information regarding the initiative but wouldn’t reveal his name. “Tusin galat-malat chap dinde ho. Je naam laina hai taan DC office ch ja ke pucho,” he replied with caution.

He, however, had some difficulties. They did not have a proper place to stand and park their vehicle. Neither did their customers have a place to sit and eat. “Je tusin issue chakna hai, taan administration nu kaho ke sanu koi jagah complex de andar de diti jave.”

He certainly had a point. On a hot day, when the mercury hovers around 40 degree Celsius, he, his staff and the others are forced to stand in the open under the hot blazing sun.

But he won’t budge. This is a service to society. “We have already sold over 100 packets of the 200 that we brought. We have already sold all the 150 packets at the Civil Hospital in Phase 6 and there is demand for more. Though it is for the needy, we do not discriminate. We provide food to all, whosoever comes to us,” he beamed with pride.

Meanwhile, people, mostly labourers, kept thronging the prized destination. Some bought only one packet while there were others who bought three to four. Many still preferred Tarsem’s kadhi chawal. His business had certainly not been hit. On the contrary, he was all praise for the initiative. “Sirji, gareeban layi eh wadhiya kam kitta hai sarkar ne. Sade kadhi-chawal khan wale bande hor ne,”.

However, Babli, a woman running a roadside but makeshift dhaba, was not pleased at all. Her business had taken a hit. She had five children to feed but was now losing her daily customers. “Pehle to dal-rotii chal jata tha, par ab to khane ko kuch nahin hai,” she said pointing towards her only son, who had started working at a nearby tea stall to earn a living.

Of all those we had spoken to, Babli’s plight was the gravest. Something had affected her deep inside. We took a packet too. It was neatly packed— sada and satvik. Emotions surged when on return, near a light point, some child beggars sought alms. We gave them that packet.

It was joy unspeakable. We had helped somebody. After all the efforts made to get the food packet, something had tugged at our heart-strings making us give it away, to those who actually needed it.

It suddenly reminded us of what Sonu had said,” Sir, roti gareeban layi hove taan changa. Ithe taan afsar hi kha rahe ne.”

For the conscientious, contributing to the administration’s drive is another option to reach out to the needy.

A sense of responsibility

A man standing under a tree was distributing coupons while two others were distributing food packets. Nearby stood a middle-aged but well-dressed supervisor. He worked for the Red Cross Society, bearing a sense of responsibility. He had a register in his hand and was eager to share information regarding the initiative but wouldn’t reveal his name. “Tusin galat-malat chap dinde ho. Je naam laina hai taan DC office ch ja ke pucho,” he replied with caution. He, however, had some difficulties. They did not have a proper place to stand and park their vehicle. Neither did their customers have a place to sit and eat. “Je tusin issue chakna hai, taan administration nu kaho ke sanu koi jagah complex de andar de diti jave.”