‘Hello Khushroo, mee mukhya mantri boltoy’

Abhishek Choudhari | TNN | Updated: Apr 8, 2020, 10:33 IST

The chief minister had called to thank Poacha, a railway employee, for running a free food distribution chain that reached out to thousands of needy people without taking even a single rupee as donation.

The chief minister had called to thank Poacha, a railway employee, for running a free food distribution chain ...Read More

NAGPUR: “Mee Uddhav Thackeray boltoy” (This is Uddhav Thackeray speaking). These words numbed city’s 53-year-old Khushroo Poacha for a second as he held on tightly to his mobile phone and acknowledged the caller in a few syllables.
It was around 11am on Tuesday and though Poacha had been expecting this call since early morning, it was still too surreal. The chief minister had called to thank Poacha, a railway employee, for running a free food distribution chain that reached out to thousands of needy people without taking even a single rupee as donation.
The build up to Thackeray’s call started exactly 12 hours ago. Principal secretary Vikas Kharge called up Poacha and appreciated his work. “Kharge had heard about our recent contribution for Yavatmal farmers. We had sent a truckload of food kits following an appeal by activist Kishore Tiwari. He said the CM was amazed to hear that everything happens without financial donation and will himself be calling the next day,” said Poacha, a TOI Nagpur Heroes awardee.
After an anxious wait, the call finally came. “When the call did not come by 10am, I was convinced that it’s not going to happen. After all, he’s the CM who has an extremely busy schedule. And just as I started to get into my routine, the phone rang at 10.55am,” said Poacha.
The person on the other line spoke in Hindi, revealing that he was calling from Matoshree (Thackeray’s home) and that the CM wishes to speak to him. “He patched the line through and almost immediately I heard the man himself,” said Poacha.
In a very ‘gentle and polite’ way, the CM introduced himself and started expressing his appreciation. “I interrupted him and apologized that I did not understand Marathi very well,” said Poacha, to which the CM laughed.
“In that cheerful tone itself he said don’t worry we will speak in Hindi and asked me how I function if no financial donation was taken,” said Poacha.
The CM was told about how volunteers donate ‘time’ or ‘actual food items’ rather than money, and how the entire chain now works on autopilot in a self-regulating manner. Seva Kitchen provides food to the needy in not only hospitals, but also in slums.
Thackeray told Poacha that it was matter of pride that people like him are working in India. “The CM added that he was also happy because I belong to Maharashtra. The man had no airs of obliging with a call. There was gentleness in his voice, a sense of humility and genuine appreciation,” said Poacha.
Thackeray asked Poacha how the government could help. “I told CM about my concept of a community kitchen for slums and have been asked to share details with his officials,” said Poacha.
When Poacha expressed his gratitude for the leadership Thackeray was providing to state, he replied saying he ‘too was human and trying to do the best possible in the current scenario’.
Later, principal secretary Kharge called back and told Poacha that the divisional commissionerate will be in touch with him from now on.
Thackeray’s call coincidentally came in the month when Poacha marks the 20th year of his foray into social activism. “I started in the year 2000 with a blood donation helpline. To know that the state’s most powerful person took time to call and appreciate what we are doing, is a big motivation to keep going further,” said Poacha.