Vashi couple offers free home-delivered meals for needy, abandoned seniors

Moving away from family business of trading, a

Vashi

resident has began his second innings with a philanthropic journey. Sixty-five-year-old Kishorebhai Jaychand Shah and his wife Yogini (59) has started providing free meals to destitute senior citizens and also to those who have been deserted by their own children.

Residents of sector 29 in Vashi, the Shah couple has started a free meal service called ‘Niradhar Tiffin Seva’ mainly for the needy, poor, handicapped and abandoned senior citizens.

“I encountered many of my friends and close acquaintances who are currently living a miserable life after being ill-treated or worse, abandoned by their children,” said Shah. “Their sad living conditions and the fact that they have spend their remaining days on an empty stomach haunted me to do something, however small.” he added.

Yogini has spent a sizeable amount of time in worship and taking care of her own family members. So the concept of ‘Seva’ came easily to her and she decided to extend her services beyond the realm of her own family. “We have a permanent cook ( maharaj) who cooks food during any ceremony or social events in our family. We have given him a contract to cook for nearly 50 heads per day. Our home delivered meal consists of rot , dal, rice, two curries, cucumber and buttermilk,” she explained.

Kishorebhai has been engaged in various spiritual activities and work in and around Vashi. After establishing his family business of spices and jute trade for 45 long years , Shah is now determined to look after poor, helpless senior citizens.

“Currently I am free as my two sons and their wives are looking after my business. Hence my wife and I decided to spend my money for the poor elderly persons who have been deprived by their near and dear ones,” said he.

His sons, too, whole-heartedly supported their decision to do so, he added with quiet contentment.

They have drafted forms to register the names of the needy people. “Whenever we get any information we visit the person, verify his or her eligibility and once we are sure that they do need our assistance, we register him and immediately begin the home delivery service,” informed Shah.

The couple is planning to reach more seniors who are in dire need of help and have already spread the word and are also advertising in local dailies.

The couple wants citizens to inform them about such needy senior citizens living in Vashi, Koparkhairane and

Ghansoli

so that they can avail of Niradhar Tiffin Seva.