In the heart of Bhubaneswar, a police constable is proving that duty extends far beyond the call of uniformed service. For nearly five years, Niranjan Nayak, a 32-year-old constable with the 7th Battalion of Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP), has been leading a quiet revolution against hunger, one simple meal at a time.
From Police Duty to a Mission of Compassion
Posted in Bhubaneswar since 2018, Nayak's inspiration struck during his earlier role as a PCR vehicle driver. The job exposed him to the city's harsh realities. "I saw people struggling for a single meal. That stayed with me and pushed me to do something meaningful," he recalls. This observation planted the seed for an initiative that began in 2021.
Now, after his official duties end, Nayak transforms into a changemaker. He mobilizes a team of around 70 dedicated volunteers to prepare and distribute comforting Odia meals. Their mission is straightforward: ensure that vulnerable individuals at hospitals, railway stations, bus stands, and roadside shelters do not go to bed hungry.
The Simple Recipe for Sustained Impact
The operation runs on a model of community support and personal commitment. The food—a humble yet nourishing combination of rice, dalma, and khata—is cooked at a modest setup in Barang. It is then transported in a hired tempo to various distribution points across the city.
The initiative relies entirely on public donations, with no government funding. "We aim to feed at least 60 to 70 people every day," states Nayak. He emphasizes that this work is carefully managed during his spare time, ensuring it never interferes with his police responsibilities.
More Than Food: A Plate of Hope and Humanity
For the recipients, this service provides crucial sustenance and dignity. At Capital Hospital, an elderly attendant named Jagannath Behera shared, "In times of distress, this plate of rice feels like a blessing." Similar gratitude is echoed at bus stands and railway stations, where Nayak's team has become a familiar and welcome presence.
Despite facing challenges like occasional fund shortages, the group's consistency for almost half a decade is its hallmark. "Sometimes funds are short, but the support from friends and well-wishers keeps us going," Nayak explains.
Looking ahead, the constable dreams of expanding the reach of his work. "Humanity should never take a backseat. If each of us contributes a little, the world will be a better place," he asserts. In an era often dominated by stories of conflict, Niranjan Nayak's journey stands as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of compassion, emanating from the heart of a man in uniform.
