You may have heard of nationalised and private banks or even children’s banks, but have you ever heard of a “Roti bank?”
A group of individuals, under the banner of a voluntary organisation Bihar Youth Force, have come up with an innovative campaign to form a “Roti bank”, so that no one has to go hungry to sleep in the state capital.
The initiative is set to roll out from June 15, and the idea is to collect fresh chapatis (roti) and cooked vegetables or pickles or other eatables, from Patnaites and distribute it among those who fail to have a proper meal everyday.
“About 40 - 50 homes have already expressed their interest to be a part of the campaign and we are in talks with some more apartment societies and individuals so that we can begin with feeding at least 100 people everyday,” Rishikesh Narayan Singh, convenor of Bihar Youth Force (BYF) and the man behind the Roti bank campaign, told DNA.
Singh said the volunteer homes will be provided two tiffin-boxes, being sponsored by a benefactor, and 30-40 members of the BYF will collect the packed meals every evening. They will check it for basic quality and freshness and then deliver it to the poor people living on footpaths, temples, hospitals or near railway stations, between 8 and 9pm. In case, stale food is packed by some family, it will be fed to animals instead of being thrown away, he added.
When pointed that few similar campaigns were launched in Bihar earlier, but failed to take off, Singh said, “That was probably because they didn’t take logistics into account or make long term strategies for it. We will be concentrating on apartments or localities, from where we can get food in bulk so that collection is not a problem. As more people join, we will increase the number of beneficiaries too.”
Singh already runs “Gyanshala”, a free education centre for slum children and Gyandeep book bank in the city.
Inspired by Patna’s Roti bank, a charitable trust in Saharsa district of Bihar, has also decided to undertake a similar campaign in their area.
