Jharsuguda: Providing meals to the needy is considered one of the noblest acts of humanity. Two good Samaritan siblings are running an initiative to provide lunch and dinner at just Rs 10 in Jharsuguda since 2021, in memory of their father.
Ramesh Soni (67) and his brother, Ashok Soni (65), are running a Ram Krishna Aahar canteen at Mangal Bazar area in Jharsuguda.The siblings aim to continue the work started by their father, late Kishan Lal Soni, who believed that no one should go hungry. Kishan Lal used to distribute free home-cooked meals to the needy at the Jharsuguda railway station. Seven years after his death in 2014, his two sons re-started the work in a more systematic manner and introduced a marginal cost. They set up a charitable trust, Rama Krishna Seva Trust, to manage the canteen.

The Soni brothers, who are in the real estate and hotel business, renovated the ground floor of their residence to set up a kitchen and dining area. “This service is be the greatest tribute to my father, who used to do the same for the needy,” said Ramesh.
Meals consisting of rice, two rotis, curry, dal and pickle are prepared daily for serving lunch and dinner to passers-by, factory workers, autorickshaw drivers, labourers and other underprivileged people. The nominal charge of Rs 10 helps to prevent food wastage. “We started with 120 meals per day but now it has increased to around 600. As per our capacity, we are helping the needy people. We plan to continue till we can,” said Ashok.
Workers from nearby shops, labourers and underprivileged people living in the area are thankful for the meals. Seva Bagh, a resident of Samasingha under Kolabira block praised the food quality and affordability.
Nikky Bhoi (22), who works in a stationery shop at Mangal Bazar, also lauded the service and hoped it would continue.

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