Indraprastha Yuva Mandal or the Indraprastha Foundation has always been spearheading all acts of humanity and service since a long time now. However, under the guidance of MP Ranjanben Bhatt and the support of Shri Lakshminarayan Mandir Trust and their donors, they launched a new campaign called the “Kitchen of Indraprastha”. As part of this initiative, nutritious, home-cooked meals will be served to all people for a nominal amount, such as just five rupees.
Indraprastha Kitchen is set up every Sunday in front of Gotri GMERS College for three hours. According to the Foundation, this campaign was launched with the aim to serve nutritious food to all as a form of respect. As Indraprastha Kitchen is a moving kitchen, which will cater to about 500 people every Sunday, everybody is welcome there from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm.
Meals are charged at only a mere five rupees, with each meal consisting of a variety of eclectic and healthy dishes such as Chhole, Mixed Sabzi, Rajma, Aloo Matar, served with Pooris.
On the basis of a survey, the Foundation discovered that the need to launch a campaign as such to cater to the needs of the relatives of patients admitted to GMERS, who have arrived in the city from distant villages. Secondly, this initiative also caters to the needs of all those belonging to the lower economic classes living in the area. Keeping these factors in mind, the moving kitchen was set up where every Sunday, they would serve fresh, nutritious meals to people for just five rupees.
It has been said that maybe the nominal amount was charged as some people may shy away from consuming meals for free. However, another major reason also tends to be the fact that they are catering mostly to people falling in the lower economic classes of the society, therefore making it easier for them to have access to a basic necessity such a s food, without money being a speedbump for them.
The Foundation employed young boys and men on a salaried basis with a strict dress code that had to be followed. Tables are set up near their kitchen for people to enjoy their meals comfortably. The menu is decided keeping in mind the following factors: general preferences of the public, nutritious value and taste. A member of the foundation was quoted saying that their main aim was to serve food with dignity.
This campaign will be run with the objective of dedication, respect and social service. This initiative was made successful with the help of all generous donors to this cause. Indraprastha Foundation also used to previously provide free tiffin services and medical services to patients who were quarantined at their residences during peak COVID. Their initiatives in also delivering oxygen tanks and enabling ambulance services helped the citizens of the city at a time when positivity seemed next to impossible.
Indraprastha Foundation has been carrying out acts of service and kindness since the last one year, providing everything that the citizens of the city need and want.