As India is witnessing calamity and system failure like never before amid the disastrous second covid wave, we can see several people coming out to help the one in need. Many are selflessly supporting others despite knowing their lives are at risk. Such people are making sure that no one remains hungry or feels they are alone.
One such story of a mother-son duo has been shared by Humans of Bombay, who are providing free meals to the poor. Their heart touching story is going viral over social media.
Harsh Mandavia and his mother Heena Mandavia, owners of Harsh Thali and Paranthas are serving over 22,000 meals, 55,000 rotis and 6,000 homemade sweets during the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.
As per the post, Harsh lost his father as an infant. Despite all challenges, his mother was confident that she would take his care single-handedly and decided to prove Harsh with the best education.
To make life better for her and her son Harsh, Heena started a tiffin service at home. “The first order was placed by an aunty living nearby - Maa made Rs.35; that was her first income. Through word of mouth, business picked up - Maa used to cook and I’d deliver food from door to door,” he said.
In 2003, one of their customers suggested them to commercialise their kitchen. The customer helped them with a deposit of Rs 70,000 and rented space. Thus, Harsh Thali and Paranthas came into existence.
After completing his graduation, Harsh joined his mother’s business and expanded it online and their business turnover grew over three times.
When Harsh tried to return the money to the people who had helped them set up the tiffin service in 2016, they refused and said instead of returning the money asked them to help 10 more people.
So, when the country went into a lockdown in 2020, they did what they were told. When a customer asked them to feed 100 people, Harsh and his mother agreed and also did it for free.
Harsh says, “That evening, I put up a post on social media saying that we were accepting orders. People from all over started donating money. Maa and I would feed 100-150 people every day.”
He continued, “When the second wave hit us, I posted a callout again. In just 2 days, we received 1.5 lakhs in donations. So far, we’ve been able to distribute over 22,000 meals, 55,000 rotis and 6,000 homemade sweets. Once when we were distributing food at an old age home, an uncle placed his hands on my head and said, ‘Aashirwad’; it was surreal.”
In the end, Harsh concludes, “Sometimes, when people ask me, ‘Why are you risking your lives for strangers?’ I think of the time when strangers have helped us get to where we are today. And even if one of them had thought, ‘Isme mera kya fayda?’, Maa and I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
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Serving selflessly in times of crisis, this family make us believe that humanity is what can save us.