World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on 16 October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organisations concerned with food security, including the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Rotaract Club of Delhi Janak,a budding new club under the R.I. district 3011 took the initiative to celebrate World Food Day 2015 on October 16 in its true sense.What could be more fulfilling than make someone smile and feel happy on a special day?Especially,when that someone is terribly underprivileged and economically backward-isn't it worth our little time and effort to strive for an egalitarian society where there are no divides within humanity?
One of our steps towards this direction was the Khwaahish lunch date challenge,where we take a few underprivileged, needy or homeless children to any food joint with us and give them a treat.
Rtr.Prachi Gupta puts it beautifully,"Not everyone in this world is equally fortunate. Why is it so? My mind asks often. But this experience made me realise that answers to such questions are not worth finding. What matters is how can we contribute? Can we make someone less fortunate feel that they are fortunate the same way as we are? Even if it lasts a moment.? Yes we can. And there is nothing better than being able to bring a smile on someone's face. Words alone cannot describe the feeling. Credit goes to khwaahish lunch date challange :)"
A social apathy towards severe issues like starvation needs to be combated.Often,this indifference develops from the notion that problems like starvation are large-scale world wide issues and we mere citizens cannot do anything .We think that it's the government's job to solve poverty as if it has got a magic wand to act as a panacea to the most complex challenges facing humanity.Yes,we are mere individuals but the world is made up of 7 billion individuals out of which atleast 50% of the more fortunate people have the resources to uplift and help out the lesser fortunate ones....and if each one of us makes that little bit of effort we are capable of ,the positive change one day can be immensely perceptible and tangible.
Moreover,you know what? That feeling you get after making someone's day brighter ,even if the joy you spread lasts for a transient period of time,is priceless.
Our second event was the Rahagiri Starvation Rally.15 members of our RCDJ club ,with full enthusiasm,covered the whole inner circle of Rahagiri to spread awareness.The walk against starvation involved distributing packets of biscuits and chips to the ones who probably struggled through their days to fill their empty stomachs with whatever meagre food they could manage for their survival.
Let us have a look at what the rotaractors of our club have to share regarding their heart warming experience.
Khwaahish lunch date challenge is one of the most exciting activities I have ever done.
Thanking Naina Dargan, founder of Khwaahish NGO for initiating such an amazing activity to take little kids to Mc Donalds and treating them.
It's not just about giving them a little meal, it's not as simple as that. It's also about removing that social barrier that yes people who are not well off, who don't have a shelter on their heads can come and sit at the same seats as we do, they can share a meal with us. To the astonishment of security guards and working staff in Mc Donalds who wondered that why would we bring these kids in for a meal, it's not just for self pleasure or self satisfaction or a research for that matter! Its about living equality in real sense.
These kids were amazing! Giving meal to Kajal, Rahul, Suraj and Lakshmi was just a begining, they were just 4 ..but i guess we have to start from somewhere.
-Rtr.Sagrika Behl.
Khwaahish lunch date challenge has given me something we call internal satisfaction and pleasure. Bright eyes of those lovely kids became the reason for my happiness. Furthermore,the fact that I was able to bring smile on their faces made me feel wonderful and that it was worth it.
-Rtr.Simran Gohania.
I feel that i am fortunate to be born in the privileged lot when i see people fighting for their basic necessities. It also gives me the courage and motivation to work for the betterment of the society. Being a part of 'Walk against starvation' by RCDJ gave me internal satisfaction. The 'Khwaish lunch date challenge', an initiative by RCDJ,was about giving someone something which he/she needs the most. Receiving those warm smiles and blessings from those underprivileged children brought positivity in me. It felt great to be a part of these events.
-Rtr.Shreya Snehi
Rtr. Bharat Kataria
Khwaahish lunchdate challenge : It was a proud feeling when that little kid said ,'Thank you didi ' and was really happy to do such a thing...i will definitely keep doing this challenge sooner or later.
Rally: It was really amazing to be a part of the rally organised by rotaract club against starvation. Distributing little stuff like biscuits and chips was a thing which was different in our rally around that place. Few people came to us, asked about the rally and joined in the rally. It's always good to spread awareness and education regarding starvation which is one of the root symptoms of poverty in India.
-Rtr.Shubhangi Verma
Khwaahish lunch date challenge was a delight.That satisfaction I got when I got such an opportunity... To meet such lovely & sweet people out there,to watch that glitter of joy in the eyes of the little children and to sit & eat together on the same table irrespective of our social and financial backgrounds.☺cheers to rcdj!!
-Rtr.Chitvan.
This was the first time i celebrated World food day with so much of enthusiasm. Being a part of Khwaahish lunch date challenge and rally against starvation brought a sense of internal satisfaction and happiness in me. Receiving those heartwarming smiles made me realise that my little effort is being counted and making a difference. There is a long way to go ☺
-Rtr.Rishabh Rathore
I would like to conclude by saying that adequate food for all mankind is one of the primary means to ensure social and economic justice...and if the privileged section of this very mankind knows what it is like to starve,they would think twice before wasting food.:)
