Ashfaaq Shaikh

I'm a food caterer by profession. On 24th March, when the lockdown was announced, I became anxious because lockdown meant no business. But soon, I realized that there were people whose predicament was far worse than mine. Many had not only lost their livelihood but also had any savings of their own for sustenance in the coming months. Me, few friends and family members pooled in some money and started food distribution for the homeless and daily wage laborers. Within two weeks, we were serving over 2000meals a day. It was evident that we couldn't continue doing this on our own. That's when I got in touch with Khaanachahiye and joined the team as a food ninja on the western express highway.

The distribution was smooth. But for some reason, I have been stopped more than twenty times in the last two months while ferrying food in my car. I had all the documents and passes with me. Yet, at many points when the police see my car, they ask me to stop and park it on the roadside. And then the wait and arguments begin. I noticed that most of the vehicles stopped like this had some showpiece or name on them that belonged to a particular religion.

In most cases, they let me go after some negotiations and emotional pleading from my side. But invariably the delay used to make me nervous because someone was waiting for the food I was transporting. Once, the situation even got a little dangerous when a policeman shouted and heckled me for no reason.

But these were minor hiccups, and honestly, I amused to it now. The overall experience of serving food to those in need was more than satisfying. In our culture, we have the concept of Zakat, the idea that every year one needs to offer a certain percentage of one's earnings as charity. For me, this was the best Zakat I have ever offered. The fact that I could serve the needy during the holy month of Ramzan made it all the more fulfilling.

People on the road have been extremely kind to me. Many offer water and food to me while I am doing the distribution. These were heartening gestures that made my experience sweeter.

I was wary of publicizing what I was doing. I didn't even tell my family where exactly I was going. I had lost my Dad many years back, and I am the only earning member in my family. I didn't want them to be anxious about me going to COVID affected areas when the entire city was nervous about the pandemic. But fate has its way of surprising you.

Khaanachahiye was supporting Sonu Sood and NeetiGoel's Gharbhejo campaign by offering food to traveling migrants. While I was helping the Gharbhejo team with food for one of their buses, I was captured in a video along with the actor. That video went viral, and my cousin saw it and shared it with my wife. That's how my family came to know what I was doing. But contrary to my fears, they were incredibly supportive.

I had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people in this journey, particularly my fellow ninjas. Their commitment levels kept me going even when I was down. I am thankful for the almighty to have given me such a chance. I pray that everyone gets such an opportunity to serve those in need. This service is not just about helping others but also about serving one's soul. Indeed the experience of a lifetime.

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