BENGALURU: After a long and anxious wait to get home, food may be the last thing on the mind of migrants boarding Shramik Special trains. A group of good Samaritans, however, is ensuring the workers don’t leave the city on an empty stomach by handing them packets of rotis, chikkis and dates, along with good wishes.
The distribution drive is part of the Million Rotis initiative started on May 3 by Mercy Mission, a group of over 20 NGOs. Till date, they have served more than 10 lakh rotis to thousands of migrants taking Shramik Specials. They have tied up with railway authorities.
The Million Rotis initiative is among several movements started by Mercy Mission to serve people during the pandemic. From providing rations to conducting the last rites of people who died during the lockdown, they have helped in many ways.
Mohammed Ismail, a volunteer with Mercy Mission, said: “We hand over rotis, along with pickle and snacks, to migrant workers travelling by special trains. We also give them essentials like water bottles, sanitary pads and toothpaste to make sure their journey back home is comfortable,” Ismail told TOI.
Volunteers get details of the trains and number of passengers by 7 or 8pm. The details are then passed on to their kitchens in Padmanabhanagar, Koramangala and Electronics City. “Our vendors make the rotis and they are taken to our packing facility in Basavanagudi, where they are packed in a hygienic and systematic way and transported to various railway stations,” explained Ismail, adding that 60 to 70 volunteers then hand out the packets.
Sarah Ummer, another volunteer, said the initiative has seen contribution from many apartment complexes and individuals. “Many apartment residents would make extra rotis or send across theplas and other snacks,” she added. The movement also aimed to empower women who had lost their jobs for various reasons. “The women empowerment team of NGO Project Smile provided employment opportunities to women (cooking),” she said.
Ismail said nothing beats the joy that’s visible on the migrants’ faces when they receive the roti packets. “These are the people who’ve contributed to building our city,” he added.
Sarah said it is difficult to balance her family life and volunteer work, but it’s the least she can do for fellow humans during a crisis. “When God asks me what I did for humanity, I want to say I fulfilled my responsibility and didn’t sit back thinking someone else would do it,” she said.
The distribution drive is part of the Million Rotis initiative started on May 3 by Mercy Mission, a group of over 20 NGOs. Till date, they have served more than 10 lakh rotis to thousands of migrants taking Shramik Specials. They have tied up with railway authorities.
The Million Rotis initiative is among several movements started by Mercy Mission to serve people during the pandemic. From providing rations to conducting the last rites of people who died during the lockdown, they have helped in many ways.
Mohammed Ismail, a volunteer with Mercy Mission, said: “We hand over rotis, along with pickle and snacks, to migrant workers travelling by special trains. We also give them essentials like water bottles, sanitary pads and toothpaste to make sure their journey back home is comfortable,” Ismail told TOI.
Volunteers get details of the trains and number of passengers by 7 or 8pm. The details are then passed on to their kitchens in Padmanabhanagar, Koramangala and Electronics City. “Our vendors make the rotis and they are taken to our packing facility in Basavanagudi, where they are packed in a hygienic and systematic way and transported to various railway stations,” explained Ismail, adding that 60 to 70 volunteers then hand out the packets.
Sarah Ummer, another volunteer, said the initiative has seen contribution from many apartment complexes and individuals. “Many apartment residents would make extra rotis or send across theplas and other snacks,” she added. The movement also aimed to empower women who had lost their jobs for various reasons. “The women empowerment team of NGO Project Smile provided employment opportunities to women (cooking),” she said.
Ismail said nothing beats the joy that’s visible on the migrants’ faces when they receive the roti packets. “These are the people who’ve contributed to building our city,” he added.
Sarah said it is difficult to balance her family life and volunteer work, but it’s the least she can do for fellow humans during a crisis. “When God asks me what I did for humanity, I want to say I fulfilled my responsibility and didn’t sit back thinking someone else would do it,” she said.
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