Since 22nd of August, heavy rains have ravaged colonies in Jaipur, the flood has displaced many households leaving them helpless in water logged surroundings. Akshaya Patra was requested to supply food in affected areas by the district administration, Jaipur to tackle issue of food crisis and to participate in relief operations.

The free food was distributed in the low lying areas of Jaipur in more than 12 colonies such as Bhatta basti, Shastri nagar, Jahawar nagar, Transport nagar, Girdhari pura, Muhana mandi, Madrampura , Nahargrah, Parwati nagar, Bagrana, Bagru, Galta gate etc. It was also supplied to the water logged areas of adjoining district of Dausa.

Over 40,000 flood victims have benefitted so far. The food distribution is still continuing in few areas including Madrampura which was visited by UPA Chairperson, Ms. Sonia Gandhi on August 30th, 2012.

The food was distributed through our distribution vans. The vans were stationed near the water logged areas while food was manually shifted to the affected places. The local people helped Akshaya Patra teams in the distribution. The officers of Food and civil supplies, Police and District administration guided whole of the relief operation. A special distributing cell was established at the Jaipur kitchen by Akshaya Patra.

R. Kumar, a victim,  is an Auto Rickshaw puller who lives near the slum area of Sethi Colony Jaipur. His family stays in the village while he earns in Jaipur to support the family. He eats food in a nearby Dhaba (a road side eatery) which could not operate due to excessive rains. Akshaya Patra came to his rescue. In his words “Bhagwaan aap ko khush rakhe, aaj aapko hazaron gareebon kee duaaein milengee” (May God keep you happy, you will get blessings of thousands of poor to whom you have fed today).

This is not the first time that Akshaya Patra has partaken in relief operations. Our kitchens are used as public assets in times of emergencies and food is supplied in calamity struck regions.

Also read link.

After I finished high school in Germany, I did an around the world trip in which I got to know the beautiful nature of the Indian people, but outside of India. When travelling, I realized that working with the local nation, one receives the best insight of the people’s culture. So I waited for my first semester vacations and organized my internship at Akshaya Patra. I wanted to work for The Akshaya Patra Foundation (TAPF) in Bangalore primarily, because I wanted to get in touch with the Indian culture. Whether it is the working spirit in the office, the Indian driving manners in Bangalore’s daily mad traffic or the very welcoming Indian people: There is so much to learn and understand. Thus, my first reason was to come closer to the Indian culture, religions and life.

During my first trip I saw a lot of poverty, especially young children – the weakest and last guilty – suffering from malnutrition, diseases and low education. In this moment I decided to make use of my opportunities and help the needy at least one time in my life. Then I read about Akshaya Patra and its project. I found there work very sensible, comprehensive and convincing. I was astonished about their facilities and success and decided to become part of their project. When one sees the children smiling happily, notices the hope which the Akshaya Patra’s project spreads in their lives and reads about the success stories of young, poor and unfortunate children who became doctors, engineers, teachers etc one knows that volunteering for Akshaya Patra is totally worth the effort.

Moreover, I wanted to know what working for a NGO means, and be part of the “helping” side of this world. Additionally, a working experience abroad is always broadening one’s horizon, because working and communication patterns are completely different and, therefore, widening experiences. Apart from that the Indian food and warm weather was very tempting ;P.