In a quiet but powerful act of sustained compassion, a group of five men in Bihar's Begusarai has been serving free meals to the needy every single evening for the past six years. Their initiative, named 'Sai Ki Rasoi', began on August 29, 2019, and has since become a beacon of hope, challenging apathy and demonstrating the profound impact of daily kindness.
The Humble Beginnings of a Community Kitchen
The collective was formed by individuals from diverse professional backgrounds who decided to extend a helping hand even as some were still finding their own footing in life. The group comprises Amit Jaiswal, a former contractual Bihar government employee; Nikhil Raj, a competitive exam aspirant; Kishan Gupta, an Army serviceman; Pankaj Kumar, a businessman; and Nitesh Ranjan, a government school teacher.
"We started with around 20 volunteers," recalled Amit Jaiswal. The initial phase posed challenges, but the founders had already built goodwill through earlier social work like blood donation drives and helping poor families during festivals. The real test, however, arrived with the Covid-19 pandemic. "Hunger was more visible than ever," Jaiswal noted, a period that galvanized their resolve to expand their service.
Growth Through Collective Support
What started with a modest crowd-funded sum of Rs 1 lakh and meals for about 50 people quickly gained momentum. As awareness spread, residents of Begusarai began contributing generously. Donations now flow in to mark personal milestones—birthdays, wedding anniversaries, exam successes, and even death anniversaries.
Every single rupee contributed goes directly towards feeding someone in need, with two core members also contributing regularly from their personal earnings. This transparent and heartfelt model has fueled the initiative's growth. Today, without fail, nearly 150 meals are cooked and distributed every evening.
Reaching the Most Vulnerable
The food is served in the vicinity of the Begusarai Sadar Hospital, reaching patients, their attendants, pavement dwellers, and rickshaw pullers. Mindful of environmental sustainability, meals are served on 'pattal' or plates made of leaves.
Understanding that some cannot reach the distribution point, the volunteers prepare an additional 35 food packets daily. These are delivered across town to the elderly, disabled, and beggars, ensuring no one is missed. Volunteers personally fan out to make these deliveries.
Beyond the Kitchen: A Holistic Mission
Over the years, 'Sai Ki Rasoi' has evolved beyond daily meals. With continued support from donors, the group now also distributes blankets in winter and provides assistance for the marriages of daughters from impoverished families after careful verification.
The inspiration, Jaiswal shared, came from watching social media videos of ordinary people helping the hungry during crises. "Begusarai has often been labelled for the wrong reasons. We wanted to create something that reflected its better side," he said. The members firmly believe that kindness, practised consistently, can quietly but fundamentally change a place and its people. For six years and counting, their quiet service has been doing just that.
