Food, fun & music turn ingredients to ensure a year’s mid-day meals for kids

Nagpur: Great food, soulful music and warm conversations combined to drive a larger cause, as Taste of the Nation transformed celebration into compassion on a chilly evening at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines, on Sunday. Organised by Share Our Strength (SoS), the fundraiser carried a clear promise, ‘one night of celebration, one year of nutrition' for children.With a donation of Rs2,000, each attendee funded a full year of mid-day meals for one child, while enjoying unlimited cuisine from some of Nagpur's leading restaurants, live performances and stand-up comedy. The simple model ensured that fun and philanthropy flowed seamlessly through the evening.Food, quite fittingly, was at the heart of the programme. From Continental and Asian flavours to South Indian delicacies, chaat, chai and refreshing mocktails, the spread was thoughtfully curated. A live instrumental band led by Mahendra Dhole presented popular songs from the '90s & ‘00s, performed with tabla, keyboard, guitar, saxophone & accordion.Celebrity chef Vishnu Manohar, a key supporter, summed up the spirit of the event: "Food surrounds us, flavours encircle us, and enjoyment comes naturally. Even when we are not hungry, we eat, and even when we have little, we make sure to feed others. That is our culture," he said and urged guests to avoid food wastage and remember the larger purpose behind the feast. Stand-up comedian Tarang Hardikar added light-hearted humour to the evening, while Bollywood singer Abhay Jodhpurkar brought star power and melody. A traditional folk dance by students of Lok Biradari Prakalp earned warm applause for its authenticity and grace.Suresh Sharma, managing director of Baidyanath, called the initiative a moral responsibility. "Feeding a hungry child is greater than any ritual, it is highest form of service," he said, noting that thousands of children are served meals daily through the programme.The organisation's vision was echoed through a message by Billy Shore, founder, Share Our Strength, who thanked audience for contributing towards ending childhood hunger, a mission he began with sister, Debby.

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