Italians Are Hanging Food Baskets From Balconies For The Needy, Something Indians Can Follow

The sudden shutdown owing to the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus has upended the lives of many poor people. While some of us have the privilege of stocking up on food supplies and have a roof over us, many others don¡¯t have the same facilities and the negative impact of a lockdown is a lot more pronounced for them.

It¡¯s during these tough times that we as a society must come together to help the less fortunate and Italians are leading the way with a kind-hearted gesture. To feed the homeless, people in Naples are hanging food baskets from their balconies, an example that Indians must emulate in these trying times.

While the initiative was started in one street, it soon spread to other areas and many joined the bandwagon. Several videos and pictures of food-filled baskets hanging from balconies, known as ¡°support baskets¡±, were shared on social media.

The actual italian name is "Panaro solidale", "panaro" is the basket where you put the bread inside, "solidale" means "solidarity". pic.twitter.com/9QfLFEY7DS

¡ª Tom (@tommiwtf) March 30, 2020

¡°In Naples, people are starting to hang baskets from balconies for the less fortunate who can¡¯t work due to the lockdown. The sign says ¡®If you can, put something inside. If you can¡¯t, take something.' It¡¯s called ¡®supportive basket¡¯ and it¡¯s based on an ancient tradition of the city,¡± tweeted a user while sharing pictures of the baskets.

Sharing is caring | Italian man feeds homeless from his balcony amid lockdown pic.twitter.com/SZjDtxsc4a

¡ª RT (@RT_com) April 2, 2020

One user said, "Naples have one of the most kind and generous people I have ever met." Another added, "Truly benevolence, which makes the world beautiful."

Someone commented, "This is what should spread faster than a virus, God bless him." A tweet read, "I wish the very best for the people of Italy!! & for all the people arround the world too."

In India several non-governmental organisation, social outfits and good Samaritans have joined hands to help those in dire straits. From gurudwaras to the Indian Railways everyone has organised massive food drive for the people who need it the most.