Award for messiah of the poor

Syed Usman Azhar Maqsusi, a city-based activist, was awarded the 27th Yudhvir Foundation Award for his contribution towards feeding and educating the underprivileged sections in the city. Nizamabad MP Kalvakuntla Kavitha presented the award, which carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, at a felicitation ceremony organised here on Monday.

Mr. Maqsusi’s tryst with social service began in 2012 when he started serving food to the poor who live under Dabeerpura flyover. Later, as he extended his one square meal per day mission to Gandhi Hospital, he upped the ante for government organisations which were also working towards free meal programmes.

Mr. Maqsusi started his own coaching centres for students hailing from economically disadvantaged families. Soon after, he set up noon-meals serving stations in 12 centres across the country, the organising committee of Yudhvir Foundation awards backed by Hindi Milap media outfit said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Kavitha said, “The government can give a matching grant to support the meal supply programmes that you have pioneered. TRS government aims to provide underprivileged sections with three square meals a day.” The MP added that government initiatives, including ₹5 per meal scheme and ₹814 for pension scheme in villages, have supported many people earlier not covered under nutrition or poverty eradication programmes. While the low cost meals scheme supports 40,000 people per day in Hyderabad, the pension scheme ensures three meals per day for 40 lakh people, she said.

Mr. Maqsusi said the cash prize will bolster his social service work. Narendra Luther, chairman of Yudhvir Foundation, and Vipmavir, general manager of Hindi Milap, were present at the event.