Hyderabad: An English lecturer in town at a college, G Srinivas, has not received a salary in the past year COVID-induced pandemic closes all educational institutions; and with a family of four to feed, he just had to find a way.
As a blessing, an initiative came that gave him enough rice for food. He now has one thing less to worry about.
In the exciting time of COVID-19 lock up, the year 2020 does not need to be introduced. Millions have starved because of the precariousness of work, food and money. Migrant workers traveled hundreds of miles and the unemployed barely survived. In such a disturbing scenario, the real heroes Sonu Sood and the like went out of their way to help people.
Also in Hyderabad there is a story to be told.
Rice ATM, an initiative to deliver rice and other ration items 24 hours a day to the needy, was started by 42-year-old Ramu Dosapati, who is an HR executive at a private firm. And according to his estimates, Ramu has now spent nearly 70 lakh in more than 350 days to benefit 45,000 people so far.
Ramu, located at the first LB Nagar junction, used this initiative mainly to help migrant workers.
Start of Rice ATM
Only a month after closing, Ramu’s son wanted to drink chicken for his birthday. When he went to the nearest store to buy, he found a security guard – Laxmamma who was buying 20 kg of meat. Ramu was surprised by the quantity and inquired. ‘She told me she bought it to feed migrant workers. Her salary was 6,000 rupees a month, ‘Ramu said. siasat.com.
The realization hit Ramu. When a low-income woman can help the poor, why can he not?
‘I sit comfortably at home; my family is comfortable. Nobody cares about migrants who go to work from different states and get food. It was then that I thought of doing something for them, ”Ramu recalls.
Immediately, with the help of his security guard, he compiled a list of 192 migrant workers in need of rations and other items. Ramu not only bought enough for at least three weeks; he even booked their tickets at home.
In parallel, Ramu also started Rice ATM. “Any time meal, any time medicine and any time milk – I thought as I mentioned it,” Ramu said.
In addition to working for migrants, Ramu has also started giving family ration packages to unemployed private teachers, deliveries, managers and others. He also thought of unmarried women without jobs, with children to be cared for. He turned a ‘Messiah’ for all!
But Ramu lives in a one-bedroom house with his wife and two sons. He wanted and could always afford a three-bedroom house, but he did not want to.
Rice ATM reaches wider beneficiaries
“By May 30, when all the migrant workers returned, I thought my journey was over, but that was the beginning,” Ramu said.
One morning at 6 a.m., his apartment guard woke him up and said that about 50-60 people had gathered outside and wanted to meet him. The word “Rice ATM” is spreading and people want help. “My wife supported me and said I should continue the initiative,” he said.
For this they sold their farm in their hometown for Rs 40 lakh. Initially, he started 1.5 lakh of his savings account to feed it. Many came forward to help as well.
150-170 people come to the Rice ATM every day, including migrant workers, domestic workers, low-income workers, car rickshaw and taxi drivers, and private school teachers. “People have even started coming from all over the state,” Ramu added.
Rice ATM for Project Prisha
Ramu continues to make people’s lives better.
In its efforts to get the unemployed on their own feet, Ramu has launched Project Prisha (God’s gift as he likes to call it) and is now helping economically weaker sections around their tiffin centers, Pani Puri stalls, coconut vendors, sewing machines, hardware stores and the like.
‘Initially, Ramu sir helped us with ration and necessary things. Later, he arranged fees for my child and even promised to provide cell phones for online classes. Now he has helped start my own business, ”said Lata, who lost her job at the Chikkadpally girls’ residence. She was the only breadwinner for her family.
Source: The Siasat Daily