#FirstStoryPositive. From sleeping on the streets to providing meals at Rs 10

Every day, Shivam Soni, the founder of Hunger Langar in Indore, serves hundreds of people vada pav, medu vada, biryani, and masala dosa. All meals start at Rs 10 and are sometimes given away for free. Things were already looking grim for Shivam Soni, a 24-year-old restaurant owner before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. He lost Rs 18 lakh in January 2020, and the global health crisis pushed him over the edge, leaving him completely reliant on food packets distributed by social organizations.

Shivam, a native of Madhya Pradesh's Sikand district, ran Street 16, a restaurant where he served biryani, roti, dal, and chaat. “I dropped out of engineering in 2016 because I didn't want to pursue academia any longer. I began the restaurant with a Rs 20,000 loan from friends,” says the entrepreneur. Shivam claims that the restaurant was doing well and that he was profiting well. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, itchy scaly patches on the knees, elbows, scalp, and other areas of the body. He was diagnosed with it in 2018. Because of his illness, he was unable to work near food for health and safety reasons. “I began taking time off for my recovery in early 2019.” As a result, my overheads increased, driving me into debt. I planned to shut down operations for good in January 2020 as the repayment sum piled up,” he adds. He claims he fell into a deep depression and considered suicide. When the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented in March, Shivam ran away from home on the only bus accessible at the bus station. “Travel restrictions had begun to emerge, and there was only one bus to Indore, about 400 kilometres from Sikand. I boarded it, leaving my family a suicide note telling them not to look for me. He recalls, "I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

Shivam slept in railway stations and fed from donated food packets and langars during the lockdown. He claims that his experience taught him to appreciate life more. He now owns a small outlet called Hunger Langar, where he serves meals for as little as Rs 10 and even for free to those who cannot afford them. “I went without food for nights and fought for each meal. I would never wish this experience on someone else. Millions of people lack access to nutritious food, and my goal is to assist them as much as possible,” he says. Shivam describes how he boarded the bus without any clothing or provisions, a struggle he endured for months. “All I wanted to do was flee. I didn't think twice about it. I had Rs 500 in my pocket for the first three days. Because of the lockout, all shops and restaurants were closed, so I lived on biscuits,” he adds. “I tried unsuccessfully to find work in a hotel. He remembers, "I had no choice but to spend nights at the government hospital, bus stations, train station, and streets."

Shivam claims he got a job as a security guard at the government hospital about a month later. “As part of the reward, I was able to use the canteen and receive Rs 6,000 per month. Soon after, I began working as a security guard at a residential society, where I was paid Rs 8,000 per month. “The arrangement took care of food and shelter,” he says. He also claims that he contacted his siblings Nikhil and Vivek, as well as his mother, a month later, to tell them of his whereabouts. “A missing persons report had been filed with the local police department by my family. “I promised them I'd come back with a bang,” Shivam says. Shivam's mother told him during Diwali in November 2020 that his family had sold their home to pay off debts. “It was an emotional moment, as well as a significant loss, as the family gave away our only home. He explains, "She asked me to return home, but I declined."

Shivam had saved nearly Rs 25,000 from his two jobs by November. “I had set aside Rs 8,000 from one change to pay my EMI and other expenses, and I had used the other to pay my EMI and other expenses. I rented a space for Rs 20,000 via local connections to obtain the requisite certifications and launch Hunger Langar near Mira Garden at Bhawar Kuan Square. The name was inspired by the food served at gurudwaras, which helped him survive,” he says, adding that he had vowed not to benefit from food by the time he opened the new business. “My struggle taught me the importance of food, and I vowed to support the less fortunate. I had no desire to work for a living. For Rs 10, I offered vada pav, medu vada, biryani, and masala dosa, as well as a vegetarian thali for Rs 30. Those who cannot afford food could eat for free on Thursdays,” he adds.

Shivam claims that the pricing of the food products has been carefully designed. “Not every food item is profitable. However, certain products will earn up to 100% more. Serving a masala dosa for Rs 10 is an example of a loss. However, selling parathas and chole bhature for Rs 30 results in a Rs 10 benefit. Some products have lower gross margins. Every day, about 500 customers come to the restaurant, with 100-150 contributing to the profits. Some consumers are willing to pay more or contribute more. He continues, "The total sales help me raise Rs 30,000, which is enough to cover the rent and staff expenses of the food stall." 

Shivam claims that his earnings are also insufficient to cover his personal expenses. “I've been through the worst, and my desire to make money and pursue material pleasures has vanished. I've made the decision to stop working in the food industry. Instead, I want to pursue a career in advertising or merchandising. I'm also going to launch a YouTube channel dedicated to cooking lessons. These businesses should help him make money to pay off his debts, he says. Shivam also plans to start handing out memes for Rs 5 by establishing food booths across Indore to assist the general public. He continues, "I am saving money and studying for a degree in hotel management."

“We were really worried when he lost his business and ran away from home,” his mother, Lakshmi, says. But he's come a long way since then and rebuilt his life. I am certain that he will do great things in life.”