A group of boys from Bandra have stepped forward to help some of the beggars and footpath dwellers who have been the worst affected in the city due to the COVID-19 restrictions
Last week, struggling artiste Yusuf Shaikh stepped out of his Bandra home for some personal work, and saw the deplorable conditions of footpath dwellers who were hoping to get something to eat from people seen on the street.
“Seeing them disturbed me, and I decided to distribute free meals to the destitute in Bandra,” said 25-year-old Shaikh, who is a musician.
He approached a friend who owns a dhaba located at Bandra Reclamation for help to cook the food, and to get it packed into small packets so that they could be distributed among beggars and footpath dwellers.
Shaikh said his friends – who were excited with his idea – Robert Metri, Altamash Theba, Rafi Khan, Mohsin Khan, Jazz Montario and Rohan Khan are helping him.
Interestingly, all of them are Bandra locals and have different work profiles, including auto-rickshaw driver, celebrity photographer, struggling singer, and social worker. They are not affiliated with any foundation or NGO.
“We have contributed money from our pockets for the food. We purchase vegetables, grains, chicken, etc., and get the food cooked at the dhaba. Then we move out in different directions in search of those who need it,” Shaikh added.
The food packets include chicken/veg biryani/pulao, daal rice/roti and a water bottle. The friends distribute the meals once a day.
Surjitt Sahani
