New York: To help the daily wage workers, small farmers, and other vulnerable communities suffering the most after the Covid lockdowns in India, Shanti Foundation, an initiative of Long Island based entrepreneur and philanthropist Surinder Rametra, distributed thousands of bags of essential food items to the needy this month in Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, rural Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, etc.
Each bag distributed contains around 15 kg of essential food items such as wheat, rice, dal, cooking oil, sugar, and basic spices. The distribution started in Pune on May 31, 2020, and continued in other Covid-hit places for people who may not have Aadhaar card, ration card and to those whom the government food supply didn’t reach. The local volunteers in India procure the food items and the Foundation reimburses the cost.
To ensure orderly distribution in each location, local authorities’ permission and police help is sought.
Said Mr. Rametra, “Shanti Foundation has always tried its best to come forward and help the needy. By providing food bags, we are simply trying to ease off a tiny fraction of the sufferings being faced by the underprivileged section of our society. We just hope that our initiative makes a difference!”
Shanti Foundation is registered in India as a trust, and is named after Mr Rametra’s mother. Its mission includes women empowerment, helping the destitute, create awareness of healthcare and environment causes and promote education in rural India. It follows the model of ‘Innovative Benevolence’ – where the institution can live beyond the lifetime of its founders. The trust is guided by several eminent educationist, industrialist, and philanthropist groups. For information: www.Shanti Foundation.global
Mr. Rametra
