In Delhi’s Nangloi area, Parveen Kumar Goyal runs the Shree Shyam Rasoi which serves meals for Re 1 per plate.
Thousands queue every day outside the Rasoi between 11 am and 1 pm, eagerly waiting for a meal that includes roti, rice, two to three types of vegetables, and a dessert. During the summer months, they also get cold water and milk-based sharbats (beverages).
While each plate cost Rs 10 before, Parveen reduced the price so the food would be accessible to more people. The reason he charges Re 1 is so that people don’t feel like they’re getting free food, and can ‘proudly say that they’ve paid for their meal’.
To date he has fed 2,000 people.
Speaking about the inception of the idea, he says, “I told my kids that now that we have everything and are doing fairly well, I wish to dedicate my life to serving people. Not just the poor, but people from all walks of life come here to eat.”
The Rasoi runs 365 days, staying open irrespective of festivals or other public holidays.
“We don’t need money, we need ration. If you donate small amounts of ration to us, we’ll keep Shyam Rasoi running,” he adds.
Edited by Yoshita Rao