BHUBANESWAR: Come summer and one can witness a group ‘People for Seva’ serving thirsty and hungry people with food and drinks. The trust was created by Aditya Kumar Dash, a dance choreographer and anchor, to carry out social services in December, 2016, in Sundarpada.
The resident of Talasarada, Boudh, is currently pursuing his masters in Social Work (MSW). He along with 15 of his friends collected funds at first. They began an environment awareness programme (their first programme) January 8, 2017.
Interacting with Orissa Post, Dash said, “Our job is to feed people and look after them. We served 100 food packets containing Banana, Til Ladu, sweet buttermilk, biscuits and a mineral water bottle) to 100 traffic policemen and women at Jaydev Vihar April 21.”
Apart from this, the collects left-over food and feed the homeless at night. However, they could not attend more than 20 phone calls to collect food due to lack of manpower and financial constraints. Their main programme is distribution of ‘Dahi Sharbat’ for summer which began April 16 and will conclude April 30.
On the first day of the programme, around 600 people drank the beverage. They served it on the occasion of Rukuna Rath Yatra too. Around 1000 people felt some respite from soaring temperatures by their efforts. Dash said, “We distribute around 600 glasses per day on an average. Currently, the group has more than 300 members who are freelancers. They come to serve whenever they have spare time.”
Dash also stated that his services are voluntary in nature and he doesn’t require any added incentive to continue in the same vein. On being enquire as to what inspired him to undertake the novel initiative, he said, “Our group once helped an old man to reunite with his family. He was lost for five years. Such services are best when they are done spontaneously rather than being forced.
Feted on many occasions by various organisations, the group requests concerned citizens to donate any amount for the cause. What’s really endearing is that at least 20 female volunteers are ready to serve in the group round the clock. As far as the future is concerned, Dash hopes to reach several villages to make them model villages. The group is generating tremendous goodwill and support from denizens of the capital for their philanthropic endeavors.
