Taking Food Banking from Delhi to Gurgaon – fighting for better nutrition in India

GURGAON, India - Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- 11 November 2013, New Delhi NCR: Hunger and malnutrition remain critical issues in contemporary India, despite key economic advancements. However, today, on National Education Day, an event which saw the launch of the first ever Gurgaon Food Bank, marked a successful feat - a step in the right direction - in this seemingly insurmountable challenge.

Delhi Food Bank (DFB) and its partners, building upon its critical success - in the presence of key dignitaries and supporters – helped to launch the Food Bank in Gurgaon, Haryana. The occasion also marked the end of its intensive Food –A- Thon 2013 campaign by honouring key organizations and individuals for their contribution at an awards ceremony.

There are vast numbers of transitionary populations in places such as Gurgaon in search of better economic opportunities, who as well as other vulnerable populations, face serious nutrition challenges that have a plethora of negative impacts on their lives. Given this, the establishment of the Gurgaon Food Bank, run by Aidmatrix and supported by Cargill and critical founding partners including DLF Foundation, highlights that Food Banking is a viable model for contributing towards the nutrition and hunger challenge. In the context of this challenge, the private sector occupies a unique position through the power of participation. One such corporate giant that has made a significant impact on the Delhi Food Bank is the DLF Foundation, whose provision of critical infrastructural support has enabled food banking to become realised in India. They share the vision for the national implementation of food banking through their keen sense of corporate social responsibility. Indeed, by extending the Food Bank from Delhi to Gurgaon - the message is clear, that Food Banking can go to all corners of India and eventually reach to those that need it the most.

The Food-A-Thon 2013 brought together over 65 organizations – some 70,000 individuals - in a ground breaking online and grassroots campaign to serve the undernourished and hungry vulnerable population in Delhi & NCR. It called upon private, public and NGO partners to join hands and take concrete action to make a much needed contribution to feeding programs for vulnerable populations in and around the capital area.

“Over a 150% increase in the enthusiastic participation of the Food-A-Thon this year is truly remarkable”, said Kuldip Nar, Managing Director, Aidmatrix Foundation, India “ . . . and it is precisely this engagement from individuals and companies that helps sustain nutritional feeding to those who need it the most.”

The occasion was graced by a number of key dignitaries, namely Shri. Randeep Singh Surjewala, Cabinet Minister of Haryana, Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, Advisory Board, India FoodBanking Network & Advisor to Prime Minister of India for Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation and Shri. Sukhbir Kataria, Minister for Sports, Agriculture and Cooperation, Government of Haryana together with Siraj Chaudhry, Chairman, Cargill India.

“If we don’t feed people nutritious food we will not have enough healthy people to join the workforce, therefore the nutritional challenge in India is a key concern for the private sector”, pointed out Sam Pitroda during his address.

Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala the chief guest of the event highlighted that ‘ We require a voluntary approach on a sustained and cumulative basis to make Food Banking work. Food Banking is the way forward to help our society become a better one.’

Within the Maximum food collected by a corporate and a school, MTS (Mobile Telecom Service), India and Sanskriti school came out on top, respectively.  Whilst Chef Aditya Bal, received the Best Individual Volunteer of the Year award, Interglobe Enterprises Limited won the Best Corporate Volunteering Initiative award. Finally, MTS also scooped the award for Best Communications and the Best Group award went to the Harley Owners Group who are keen supporters of the DFB’s work.

The event took place at the Epicentre in Gurgaon on 11 November bringing together key Food-A-Thon participants and supporters.

‘It is the shared responsibility of all of us, not just government to help those that need nourishing food the most’, highlighted Siraj Choudhry, Cargill.