Haryana Cabinet Minister Vipul Goel Vows To Work For People Against Hunger, Poverty; Here's How

Haryana Cabinet Minister Vipul Goel has come with a unique way to address the issue of hunger and poverty in the state.

Currently, at least 9 crore people in the country are forced to sleep with an empty stomach. (Representative Image/ Getty)

Of the total 119 qualifying countries, India ranked 103 in 2018 Global Hunger Index. A recent report on hunger and its implication in India stated that 34 out of per 1,000 infants die in their mother's womb every year due to hunger and poverty. Currently, at least 9 crore people in the country are forced to sleep with an empty stomach. These are not just facts, but a cruel reality of the country where people fight with poverty, hunger and malnutrition on a daily basis. Various reports and data suggest that about 15 percent of India is undernourished. This statistic may not initially seem significant, but 15 per cent of 1.5 billion people is roughly above 200 million people. India is ranked below many neighbouring countries, including China (25th spot), Nepal (72), Myanmar (68), Sri Lanka (67) and Bangladesh (86). Every now and then we see government rolling out several awareness campaigns, schemes and investments to curb the dreadful problems like hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Not just government, but political leaders, celebrities from entertainment and sports industry, businessmen and even common people in their personal capacity launch initiatives to lower down the crisis and spread awareness. In a similar initiative, Haryana Cabinet Minister Vipul Goel has come with a unique way to address the issue of hunger and poverty in the state. Working under Navchetna Trust, restaurant Maharaja Agrasen Sneh Bhojnalaya located in Badshah Khan Hospital in Faridabad is trying its best to tackle the imminent issue of hunger in Haryana. The restaurant is serving food at a nominal cost of Rs 5 or Rs  10 to everyone irrespective of any kind of discrimination based on race, status, standard, caste, and religion. The is food endowed with health, hygiene and premium taste like one would find at any other good hotel or restaurant. It serves thousands of people each day with complete commitment towards making Haryana a 'no poverty', 'zero hunger' and 'good health' state.  In just Rs 5 one can buy food like Chhole Chawal or Rajma Chawal and while in just Rs 10, the ‘Vegetarian Thali’ is available which endows more items. The food is prepared very carefully in a very clean environment by some expert cooks who are committed towards cooking hygienic food and serving it in clean utensils and dishes. People with low budgets or low on money never have to sleep hungry if they are in the vicinity of any of Navchetna Trust kitchens. It has been a huge hit among people and it caters to people from every class and standard. Every day, the kitchens serve thousands of people at such low rates which is significantly required in today's scenario of inflation. Speaking about the same with ABP Live, Vipul Goel said, “We are aspiring and planning to expand this in the entire Haryana, covering each and every district hospital. Providing premium quality food with mouth-watering taste and maximum nutrients to poor and needy people without hurting their dignity and self respect. Our sole purpose and prime objective remains to be feeding the poor and the needy while keeping the quality of food as our top priority." The purpose behind taking a low amount of Rs 5 to Rs 10 for meals is that the free of cost food does not go against the dignity of the people and if in case there is any negative comment they want to give regarding the food, they can without thinking about harming their dignity. Thus, the trust tries to serve people by keeping their happiness and self-respect intact. Besides the amounts of Rs 5 and Rs 10, the everyday expenses are bored by the Trust which is a non–profitable trust committed to working for the people of India and against hunger and poverty. Even common people are motivated towards donating for this noble cause according to their will. Each and every penny donated is invested in this noble cause of providing food to as many people as possible and beating hunger. The Navchetna Trust has vowed to start such kitchens in all the district hospitals of all the districts of Haryana where all the needy people can avail hygienic, tasty, pure and healthy food.