This year, food packs to replace bhandara

LUCKNOW: With the first Bada Mangal round the corner and Covid-19 restrictions still in place, people who used to serve food by setting up stalls are now planning to prepare food packets and distribute it among the needy.
Some others are planning to donate raw food material to LMC’s community kitchen so that it can be used to feed the poor.
A group of senior citizens from Jankipuram Extension, who organize ‘bhandaras’ (community feast) on Bada Mangal every year, have decided to collobrate with a non-government organization to distribute lunch packs among the people.
“Every year, we set up a small stall to distribute poori sabzi as prasad on first Bada Mangal. Last year, we were not able to do so due to Covid restrictions. This year, we are planning to distribute about 800 lunch packs in slum areas near our locality. We will adhere to all Covid-19 safety precautions,” said Akshar Parmar (41) of Jankipuram Extension.
Harshit Lamba (29) and his mother, residents of Sector K in Aliganj, are also planning to distribute khichdi and distribute it to the destitutes under a flyover near Purania crossing. “Covid-19 should not be an excuse for not feeding the hungry. We will follow Covid-19 safety norms and serve lunch packs to as many people as possible,” said Harshit.
Akshit Amber of Niralanagar said, “My family has been organizing community feast on Bada Mangal every year. It may not be possible for us this year due to restrictions so we have decided to contribute at LMC community kitchen. We hope our contribution will reach the poor.”