Comfort food: Retired group feeds patients’ relatives

NASHIK: For the last six years, a bunch of retired professionals have kept their lunch date – with relatives of poor patients undergoing treatment at civic-run hospitals in the city. Since 2008, at 12 noon sharp, the group’s members walk into hospitals with packets of six chapattis and vegetables and distribute them among patients’ attendants.
Nashik Anna Seva Samiti, a registered body comprising retired employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and other like-minded people, provides food to 80-100 people every day in three hospitals.They had started this work at the Civil Hospital, but gradually extended their service to the government Referral Hospital (Super Specialty Hospital) and Ayurved Hospital at Ganeshwadi. And from August 15 this year, they will start their food service at Nashik Municipal Corporation’s Bytco Hospital.
“Civil hospital provides free food only to patients, many of whom come from nearby rural and tribal areas,” said G K Chadha, Samiti’s president. “We spend from our pockets for petrol and work in groups to provide food to the relatives in these three hospitals. Though we provide food in the afternoon, the quantity suffices them for dinner as well,” said the 76-year-old Chadha.
Trimbak Jadhav, a farmer who has a catering service, gets the food cooked at his place, which is then packed and brought to the hospital.
“We donate food even during emergencies like any kind of disaster or accident,” said Narsinha Patel, a builder and also treasurer with the Samiti.
The Samiti also donates clothes among poor attendants. Rajaram Bhosale, a retired employee of Crompton Greaves, and Arif Tadvi, who has a furniture shop, are in-charge of the clothes section. “We give new clothes that are given by donors or else we collect good old clothes and distribute them among people here,” said Bhosale.
The employees of the hospital also donate money for this noble cause. A non-medical staff member, Lissy Joseph, donates Rs 500 every month. “They are doing a very noble job. Many staff nurses also donate, particularly on their birthdays or that of their relatives. On August 15 and January 26, the hospital staff donates money to the Samiti. Even I donate on my son’s birthday and birthdays of my other family members,” said Joseph.
Dynaneshwar Bholankar, a labourer whose brother is undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital for the last one year, said, “I am seeing them for one year. They are doing a very good job. The food they give is good and so are the clothes. My wife and son often spend their day here to attend to my brother and they have benefitted the most.”
Baluchandu Jadhav, who has been a regular at the hospital for the last four years, said they get food every day on time.