Patna: Rishikesh Narayan Singh’s parents and brother live in Bengaluru, southern India. His father is into transport business while his brother, a software engineer, works with Wipro.
However, the 26-year-old Singh has decided to remain in Patna, capital of his native state of Bihar. Lucre, even clean one, has failed to lure the research scholar away from the eastern Indian city. Instead, he is determined to serve the poor and needy of Bihar.
Risi, as he is fondly known among his friends, runs a voluntary organization “Bihar Youth Force,” which is committed to social cause. The group runs free education center “Gyanshala” for underprivileged children in different slums in Patna.
“Bihar Youth Force is neither a political outfit nor a non-government organization. It basically runs community school. Gyanshala which takes care of education of around 80 children from extremely poor families in Adalatganj locality. A group of dedicated volunteers ensure that they are properly enrolled in government schools, get books and attend classes. The volunteers even coach them for at least three hours every day, Rishi told the Deccan Herald.
Gyanshala was launched on May 31, 2015. Initially, the idea was to ensure that the poor children, mostly from the ragpickers families do not get addicted to alcohol or drugs. Gradually, it took care of their education too.
For his yeoman service, Rishi man was selected for the National Education Excellence Award in 2017. The National Education Summit this year was organized in Panaji, Goa capital, where those who have done extraordinary work in education were honored.
Rishi is, however, does not rest on his laurels. He now intends to expand his laurels. He now intends to expand his activity and fight another raging problem: hunger.
From June 15 onward, he plans to launch Roti Bank to help hungry in his hometown. “The idea is to collect fresh chapattis (roti) and cooked vegetables or pickles or other eatables, from those residing in Patna and distribute them among those who cannot afford to have a proper meal every day,” he said.
“Initially, we plan to feed at least 100 needy people who do not get proper meal. We will start from Ashok Rajpath near Patna Medical Collage and Hospital and cover up to Patna Junction where there are many people who do not get adequate food. But at the same time, we will ensure that only genuine/needy people get the food as we do not intend to encourage bhiksha-vriti (begging),”he added.
From where did he get this idea of roti bank? “Actually, the trend was started by dabbawallahs (food venders) in Mumbai in 2015.
“Meanwhile, I saw some short movies and documentaries about how hunger struck people of Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh. I also watched on YouTube how the dabbawallahs ensured proper food to the needy. I would often watch here in Patna how several people fail to get proper meal every day. This gave me an idea why not start a Roti Bank here in the state of capital.
“We have contacted 40 families in different apartment/societies and some individual families. They have agreed to be part of the campaign,” said Rishi.
The 21 member team of Rishi will provide two tiffin boxes each to volunteer homes. These families will provide meals. The members of the Bihar Youth Force will then collect the packed meals every evening.
They will check it for basic quality and freshness and then deliver food to the poor people living on footpath, temples, hospitals or near railway station between 8 pm to 9 pm.
“We have decided to check the freshness of the meal so as avoid cases of food poisoning, which is common during summer and monsoon season,” he said.
They young social worker is aware that several other organizations had made similar efforts earlier but failed.
I have been told that earlier experiment of some organization had failed. It was mainly because of lack of logistic support. We on the other hand , have done proper homework beside meticulous planning. We have been assured of quality food by those residing in apartments/societies. Once our effort gradually becomes successful, we will add more beneficiaries,” he said.
Rishi has launched a helping number and those interested can join the program. “Those who are keen to contribute to Roti Bank, can make a call or Whatsapp on 7050209999. My team member will go and collect the food. Our only request (to the volunteer homes) is that the food should be fresh,” he added.
Volunteer homes will have to fill in an application form. “It’s a simple form. Just fill it and get registered. Only registered members will be able to donate food,” he said Registration is important as one could trace the source of food packet in case of food poisoning.
In the coming days, he intends to help school children join the movement. “We are in the process of holding talks with school which can support Roti Bank. We have requested student not to throw or waste their eatables. They can donate their food, if they wish so, to the needy,” said Rishi.