'Aapla Fridge' initiative will feed the poor in Versova

Mumbai: Though Mumbai is known as the financial capital of India, it has a huge number of toiling masses who are unable to afford a square meal a day despite  working hard. To ensure that no one is  forced to sleep empty stomach just because they are poor, the Ekta Manch, a social group based in Versova has launched an 'Aapla Fridge' initiative. This will help feed those who are often forced to sleep empty stomach. The community fridge will be dedicated to the people in the premises of the Laxmikant Berde garden at Yari Road in Versova.

While speaking about the initiative, Ajay Kaul, the president of Ekta Manch said, "Though Versova is known as an elite locality, it has a large number of poor citizens as well. We at the Ekta Manch have launched the 'Bhaji- Roti yojana' for the past two years wherein a large number of poor people are given packets of roti and bhaji everyday through dabbawalas. The next step in the scheme is the community fridge. Through this refrigerator we will provide fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, chapati and rice for the deprived."

"Aapla Fridge has the highest storage capacity. We have appealed to the residents of Versova to make available nutritious, fresh food for the poor. We have received a huge response from the citizens around. The fridge will be under CCTV surveillance to prevent it from being misused or damaged," he explained.

Kaul said responding to the appeal by the Ekta Manch, the Yari Galli Mitra Mandal has agreed to take over the responsibility of the security and daily management of Aapla Fridge. We will try to start five more community fridges at different locations in Mumbai in the next one year," said Ajay Kaul.

"Though 'Aapla fridge' initiative has been launched, citizens and different organisations must pitch in to make it successful. The initiative by the Ekta Manch is to ensure that the poor do not go hungry, must be lauded," said Gajanan Kirtikar, Member of the  Parliament.