Story

My name is Manish Gupta, and I am the founder of Nageshwar Bimla Foundation, Bhatauni, Bhagwanpur, Simri Bakhtiyar, Saharsa, Bihar. This is not only my journey but also the struggle of countless people who sleep hungry every night.

Five years ago, during the Corona pandemic, my own life turned upside down. Due to difficult circumstances, I was thrown out of my home and wandered on the streets for fifteen long days without food. Hunger is merciless—it weakens the body and shatters the spirit. In those dark days, I felt the pain of every empty stomach. I made a promise to myself that if I ever overcame those struggles, I would dedicate my life to ensure that no one else would have to go through what I did.

That promise became the foundation of our ₹1 Thali Project. Today, through our kitchens set up at railway stations, bus stands and public places, we serve hot, nutritious meals every single day for just one rupee. For those who earn barely ₹200–300 a day, spending half their income on food leaves them with nothing for shelter, medicine, or the needs of their children. Our thali not only fills their stomach but also gives them dignity, relief, and a sense of hope.

We began our first kitchen in March 2023 in Sonbarsa, Saharsa district, the second in Bakhtiyarpur in July 2023, and the third in September 2023, again in Saharsa. Every day, at least 450 people eat from our kitchens. But the heartbreaking truth is that many more still go without food because we cannot serve them all. Watching someone leave hungry is the most painful sight of my life, and it pushes me to work harder.

I often recall the old man who once came to me with tears in his eyes, saying, “Son, I have been drinking only water for the last two days.” I remember the mother who gave her share of roti to her little boy and herself went to bed on an empty stomach. These are not stories, they are realities happening around us every single day. Hunger takes away children’s laughter, breaks mothers from within, and leaves the elderly hopeless and abandoned.

Through the ₹1 Thali Project, we serve dal, sabzi, rice, and sometimes even sweets. But it is not just food on a plate—it is love, respect, and care served with every meal. When a child smiles after eating, when an exhausted laborer regains his energy, or when an elderly person folds their hands in gratitude, it reminds us that this fight is not only about filling stomachs, but also about healing hearts.

We dream of expanding this initiative from three kitchens to twenty across Bihar by next year so that thousands more people can get food on time. But this mission cannot be fulfilled without your support. My efforts alone are not enough.

Your help can change lives. With your contribution, a hungry child can sleep peacefully, an abandoned parent can feel cared for, and no one will be forced to wonder if they will get food today or not. This is more than just feeding the poor—it is about keeping humanity alive.

Together, let us make sure no one goes to bed hungry. The ₹1 Thali is not just a meal. It is a plate of hope, dignity, and humanity.