Rourkela: For the past six years, Rupesh Badaik has been a dedicated leader and volunteer with the Robin Hood Army (RHA) in Rourkela, driving the organisation’s mission to combat hunger and reduce food waste.
Through his guidance, RHA’s local chapter has collected surplus vegetarian food from weddings, events, and other celebrations, distributing it to those in need at railway stations, homeless shelters, orphanages, old-age homes, and slum communities.

Rupesh’s message to the public is simple yet powerful: “Please do not waste surplus food, particularly at parties, so that we can collect it and feed the hungry.”
His journey with RHA started in 2018 when he met Manjit Badaik, a volunteer from RHA Bhopal, whose visit to Rourkela inspired a group of young locals — including Rupesh — to create a chapter of RHA in their own city. Rupesh’s passion and leadership have inspired over 150 youths to join the RHA as volunteers.
His commitment to the cause led him to approach former Union minister Dilip Ray, requesting an electric auto-rickhshaw equipped with a bucket to streamline food collection and distribution. RHA Rourkela now operates with a dedicated vehicle, allowing the team to transport food most efficiently to those who need it.
Rupesh’s tireless efforts have earned recognition from numerous organisations in the city.
Beyond food distribution, Rupesh has also channelled his energy into the Robin Hood Academy, an RHA initiative that provides free education for children in slums.
Every Sunday, he and his team teach children from Azad Basti in Rourkela’s Sector-19 for two hours.