Challenge
Millions of families left stranded with no food, daily essentials
Strategy
Distributing food, ration to the needy families
Impact
500+ tons of ration distributed
Distribution of ration, cooked food & other essentials
The global pandemic COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, forced India to go under a 21-day lockdown as a preventive step. The common masses, businesses, the corporate world, and the daily usual routine has taken a hit. Most affected among the masses are the daily wage workers, who rely solely on the earnings they make every single day.
In its attempt to ensure that these workers do not go hungry, The Art of Living, along with its sister concern the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) kick-started the initiative to provide essential groceries, grains, and ingredients for free to them. Championed under the #iStandWithHumanity campaign, The Art of Living is providing a 10 days ration to a million families.
Each packet of relief food packet comprises:
The volunteers, inspired by the message of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living, have taken it upon themselves to assemble and distribute the rations nationwide, in coordination with the local authorities everywhere. Amidst the service, the volunteers are following precautionary instructions.
The Art of Living has so far despatched about 300 tons of food material from its International Center in Bangalore for distribution in various parts of the country with support from Sri Sri Tattva and IAHV. Another 250 tons will be despatched soon.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's Message On The Coronavirus Lockdown
Inspiration from the community
STORIES
Good quality ration a priority for volunteers
“We volunteers are working relentlessly to ensure that everyone gets ration. We are sending out good quality ration to several places and many are contributing in many ways to support The Art of Living’s initiative.”
Local NGOs supporting the initiative
"So far, we have reached out to 9,000 families and 400 in Faridkot. We have partnered with Seva Bharti and a local NGO is helping us with cooking food. I think when we step out to take care of those in dire need, then nature takes care of us."
Giving not just food, but also hope & assurance
“With a curfew pass, we've been providing a 10-day ration to slums in Chandigarh and Mohali. Many are migrant workers stuck here. More than food, they need assurance that somebody has their back and we are assuring them that."
Humanity prevails even today
“Of course, the situation is charged with anxiety and concern. But I remember once we were distributing food parcels in one area and those families blessed us so much. It is heartening to see that humanity prevails and we will conquer the crisis."
People are eager to volunteer, reach out
"What is the most admirable thing around this time is how several people are stepping out to volunteer. I see Gurudev's vision of uplifting human values coming true in these trying times."
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