For More Than 250 Days, This Hyderabad Man Has Been Running A Free Rice ATM To Feed The Needy
The economic hardships millions of people in Indians had to go through since March this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented.
While the economic activities have largely resumed, many, those mostly from the unorganized sector are still struggling to make a living or feed their families.
It is this plight of many around him that made Dosapati Ramu take a life-changing decision.
Heart of gold
For the past few months, the HR executive in Hyderabad has been running a 24x7 'Rice ATM' for the needy.?
According to Ramu, who works as an HR executive in a corporate firm in the Telangana capital, he has been running the Rice ATM since April, where anyone in need can visit his residence to retrieve a ration kit which contains rice and a few other grocery items for free no matter which time of the day it is.
Ramu said the inspiration behind the humanitarian work is a security guard he knew who bought 20 kilograms of chicken with her salary of Rs 6,000 to feed labourers during the lockdown.
"Inspired by the security guard, I started this Rice ATM to help the needy who have no work and money due to this Corona pandemic," he said.
As per Ramu, he thought that the Rice ATM can be discontinued when the lockdown was been lifted in June and trains started running, but then he realised that the situation of daily labour and daily workers is getting far worse due to lack of work during the pandemic.
"We then started giving groceries to the needy people. Some days the count of the people who visit to take groceries maybe only 20 to 30 but some days it might reach 150 to 200 people. We don't know how they came to know about this but the message that a guy is providing ration to the poor spread like wildfire and people reach me every day seeking help," he said.
At least 25,000 families benefitted so far
In the more than 250 days since his Rice ATM began, Ramu estimates that at least 25,000 families benefiting from the initiative.?
What is even more impressive is that the 40-year-old is doing all these, by spending money from his pocket.
By his own estimate, Ramu has spent more than Rs 52 lakhs including his savings to buy a new 3 BHK apartment and a portion of his PF.
According to Ramu, it is his way of giving back to society and the fulfillment of a promise that he had made back in 2006.
In 2006, he had met with a serious accident and he had prayed to God that if he was given a new lease on life, he would spend 70 per cent of his income to help the needy.
