In the antediluvian times when a problem
aggrandized, committees were formed to solve the problems and specific measures
were taken to ensure it won’t sprout up again. In case the issue couldn’t be
solved at all, the people were taught to co-exist with problems with the justification of a mythological
reference. Years passed, people who suffered in amassment were labelled “cursed”
and the competent ones ruled.
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| Clusters under target |
Thankfully today we have a lot of organizations and
individuals to support these cursed souls and find them a respectful place in
the society. We have various establishments to support women, the destitute,
the mentally disabled, the animals and health victims with the patronage and
backing from powerful celebrities, media stalwarts and politicians. A lot of
social and economic issues came under control with change in attitude, and
improvised analogies injected into minds with experiential campaigns. However,
there is one adverse facet of the society that hasn’t changed at all and that
is- Hunger. As per recent statistics by the Food and Agriculture Organization
of United Nations, India tops the Hunger list of the World with 194 million
starving people, which is over 15 percent of India’s population. Additionally, India ranks very high (exceeding China) in
terms of food wastage where more than 40 percent of the agricultural produce
gets wasted every year which amounts to 58000 cr.
The considerable increase in the economic growth of
the country might have made a little amendment in the life of a few, but have
failed to make any difference in satisfying the hunger of a large mass. Many
reasons can be analysed for this issue -the status of unemployment, corruption,
global recession, increase in the price of food and energy; one can even blame
natural and man-made disasters. However we fail to realize that this issue has
a solution and the solution is through YOU and ME. Let’s imagine a situation
where you eat a huge breakfast at 9 am and throughout the day you stay in an
empty stomach; what would be your condition at 8.30 pm? I am pretty sure you
would be famished beyond limits. Do you get the point? Despite having a heavy
breakfast much to your heart’s content at 9 am, by evening you feel starved and
ravenous for food. Now, imagine living in a starved condition for days…we are
not talking about skipping meals or not getting
your favourite dessert .We are talking
serious business here; a condition you and I would call a nightmare, the
condition of Hunger and extreme starvation!
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| Volunteers of The Robin Hood Army |
Is there a permanent solution to this problem? Maybe
not! However, can we make a difference? Sure!
The answer is obvious- Reduce wastage and distribute surplus food. Did
you know there is an organization in your country that dedicatedly works
towards the reduction of hunger? It’s called the Robin Hood Army and they are
present in different parts of India! The modus operandi is very simple, the RHA
has tie ups with various hotels and
catering services in an around the city they operate and whenever they learn of
surplus food, the group immediately gets together, collect the food and
distribute it amongst some identified clusters in the city. The motto is
simple- Reduce wastage and curb hunger.
India is the largest producer of milk across the
globe and one of the major producers of vegetables and fruits; but it’s a shame
to learn that 1/3rd of the undernourished people in the world live
in India. It’s also not a mystery to comprehend
why the prices of milk and vegetables are twice as it should be-the answer is
wastage!
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| Deepak Singh, RHA Navi Mumbai Chapter |
RHA is moulded out of people like you and me who are
concerned about this national issue of hunger and wastage of food; but the only
difference is-they are out there fighting ! Deepak Singh, Head of RHA Navy
Mumbai Chapter said, “The team is young and full of energy and the only aim
when we get together for a drive is to make most out of the food we have in
hand and feed maximum people. The source of food is mainly through hotels and
catering services so that the surplus food can be fed to people thereby also
ensuring there is no wastage of food.”
On the tie-ups with various hotels he said, “
Bringing a new Hotel on board is always a challenge, however we are doing quite
well in maintaining relationship with the existing ones; but the problem is not
as complex as you think. Even if it’s a household party where we realize food
is in surplus, we immediately get
together and distribute it to the needy.”
My confabulation with the RHA team members made me
realize that a different outlook and a positive attitude and make a huge
difference in our war against hunger; it begins with you, as you can be a Robin
Hood in your own account. Whenever there is a small party you host or even
attend, make sure there is no wastage of food – either you call a Robin or be a
Robin. Before you abandon that last slice of sandwich or a glass of soft drink,
look around – what matters not to you could mean life to someone!
“If
you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one”- Mother
Teresa
If you wish to be a part of this organization, visit
the Robin Hood Army page on Facebook and sign up there or visit http://robinhoodarmy.com/
Image Courtesy: The Robin Hood Image bank and Google
References:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Food-worth-Rs-58k-crore-goes-waste-in-India-every-year/articleshow/20452251.cms
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/08/india-perishable-food-waste-population-growth/
http://robinhoodarmy.com/
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/an-army-of-robin-hoods-that-fight-hunger-2934688/
