Special focus on vulnerable community like Transgender , leprosy centers , old age , orphanages etc
“Barkat” becomes one of the largest food drives in the world – serving 2 million meals in a day in Delhi – NCR. An initiative by #FeedIndia, hosted by Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna and curated by Maximus Collabs was blessed by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and driven by NDRF was a huge success as more than 10,000 bags containing 200 meals each were distributed across different parts of Delhi-NCR serving 2 Million people. This drive served vulnerable communities including the differently-abled, transgenders,Victims of sex trafficking , HIV positive people, or
phanages, old- age homes, leprosy centres and people with disabilities. Brands including India Gate, Patanjali , Pusph Masale , Bergner , Goqii , Nu Skin force for Good Foundatio ,Gravittus Foundaiton etc who joined hands to make this drive a huge success and feed those in need during this pandemic . The other key partner to this event was Apne Aap ,a foundation working with victims of Sex Trafficking, KSF Foundation & Kineer Foundation.
The drive took place in NDRF Cantt, Ghaziabad. Chef Vikas Khanna & his team worked closely with the NDRF to distribute the items. Each ration kit fed 200 meals and included the following: rice, dal, atta, salt, sugar, spices, oil, onions, potatoes and detergent. The quantity distributed was 77,000 kgs of rice; more than 10,000 litres of oil; 10,000 packs of salt, 30,000 kg flour, 30,000 kg onions & potatoes along with additional hygiene product like tide which was 12000 kgs .
Commenting on Barkat, Transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, said, “I am really thankful to Chef Vikas Khanna, NDRF team and Maximus Collabs for this beautiful campaign #FeedIndia. This campaign has brought food, rations to many people who could not afford it during the pandemic. A special thank you to Vikas ji for thinking about the trans community and even sex workers, old people, orphanages and many other minorities.”
Mr Anil Mittal, CMD KRBL India Gate Basmati Rice, a brand who has been supporting #FeedIndia initiative from beginning, said,“At India Gate , we deeply associate ourselves with the old Indian values of sharing, helping the needy and underprivileged within our society. During this pandemic, we joined hands with Chef Vikas Khanna to provide meals to lakhs of migrant workers, poor families, slum dwellers and daily wagers who were struggling for basic necessities every day. “Barkat” is a big step towards bringing happiness into thousands of marginalized communities and families who were left out from any help till now. We wish Vikas best of luck for his astounding endeavours and pledge our support for many more such initiatives in the future as well”.
Celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna, said, “As the sun rises over India, we celebrated our event "Barkat" which means blessing or abundance. Inspired by my conversation with transgender activist Laxmi Narayan Tripathi ji, I remember her telling me that they are the forgotten ones. It broke by heart. I called my friend and she told me that whenever there is a stigma, some people have to raise their voices louder. And this is how we created world's largest food drive which will benefit transgender, people suffering from HIV, orphanages, leprosy centres, and abandoned parents. May there be Barkat in every home, in every kitchen. This is for you Laxmi ji”.
Spokesperson, NGO Apne Aap, which was a part of Barkat, commented, “We are thankful to Chef Vikas Khanna for this association. Being a part of an initiative of this magnitude is an honour for us and we are happy to join hands in this service to humanity.”
It all started with the #FeedIndia initiative started by Chef Vikas Khanna in the month of April. Since then, The Michelin star chef with support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has distributed meals and food kits to more than 10 million people across 135 cities including Varanasi, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai amongst others.
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