April 16, 2008

New Delhi, India - Help is finally here! The State Government has launched the “Aap Ki Rasoi” program for the needy and mal-nourished on the streets of Delhi. The program provides free mid-day meal for the poorest of the poor, the homeless, street orphans and beggars. The program was inaugurated by Ms. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi.

The Government of Delhi requested NGOs and corporations to provide meals to these people once a day in the afternoon. BAPS Charities responded immediately and was the first to support the cause. Nearly 600 needy people, mainly women and children were served food on the very first day.

Ms. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi inaugurates “Aap Ki Rasoi” a program for providing free mid-day meal for homeless, beggars and the street children supported by BAPS Charities which serves 600 people every day	Homeless children enjoy a free mid-day meal supported by BAPS Charities at the Nizamuddin night shelter where 600 people are served meal every day	Ms. Sheila Dikshit, distributes lunch to homeless, beggars and street children during the launch of “Aap Ki Rasoi”, a free mid-day meal supported by BAPS Charities which serves 600 people every day.

Squatting on the floor along with his six-year-old sister Yasmin and nine-year-old friend Chaman, Nizam had a gala time feasting and chatting away. “The food here is better than the food that we get in school,” Nizam said, licking his fingers. The simple meal consisted of rice, dal (lentils), a mixed vegetable and a sweet dish. Nizam’s favorite was the desert.

“This suji is really nice. Although some of my friends have come today, not all of them know about it. Will they give us free food tomorrow as well?” he asked.

Lalan Singh, an official of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), said this initiative would be a daily affair in the Nizamuddin night shelter where BAPS Charities serves food.

BAPS Charities believes that every individual deserves the right to a peaceful, dignified and healthy way of life. By improving the quality of life for an individual, it makes the goal of nurturing families, communities, the world and our future – a reality!

The smiling faces of Nizam, Yasmin and Chaman support this belief.

A needy family  enjoy a free mid-day meal supported by BAPS Charities at the Nizamuddin night shelter.	Ms. Sheila Dikshit, feeds a homeless girl during the launch of “Aap Ki Rasoi”, a free mid-day meal supported by BAPS Charities which serves 600 people every day.	BAPS Charities volunteers ready to serve food at the launch of “Aap Ki Rasoi”, a free mid-day supported by BAPS Charities which serves 600 people every day.

About BAPS Charities

BAPS Charities is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit international charity organization committed to sincerely serving the world by caring for individuals, families, and communities. It is affiliated with BAPS as an independent charity and social services arm. The 55,000 BAPS volunteers networked in over 9,090 centers around the world provide over 12 million volunteer-hours of service annually.

Among social service charities, BAPS Charities is a well-respected and trusted name. It has amassed over 50 years of firsthand experience in initiating, managing, and sustaining 160 humanitarian operations throughout the world in such diverse fields as: medical services, environmental services, community services, tribal services, and disaster relief services.

Recent BAPS Charities projects include disaster relief work for flood victims of India as well as relief for those afflicted by Hurricane Katrina and the South Asian tsunami.

For additional information on BAPS Charities and its international and local philanthropic activities, please visit www.bapscharities.org

For further information Contact:
BAPS North American Headquarters
Tel: 732-777-1414 ex 140
e-mail : media@na.baps.org