Pushing through the chaotic crowd at Koshi Hospital in Biratnagar, Sanjay Darji from Urlabari heads towards a tented area. After receiving free food being distributed there, he sits down at a nearby table and starts eating a mouthful. After eating his fill, he returns to the care of his uncle Tank Darji, who is being treated in the ICU.

For Sanjay, this one-time meal is a great relief from daily worries. ‘In this day and age, getting rice without money is a big deal for us,’ he says gratefully, ‘Those who are doing this service are great.’

Free food has been being distributed for the poor shepherds like Sanjay on the Koshi Hospital premises for the past 2 years. This work has been spearheaded by Prithvi Kumar Agrawal, a philanthropist from Tintoliya, Biratnagar-10.

Agrawal has been providing one-time, pure, simple and delicious food daily to the shepherds of patients undergoing treatment at the hospital and, if necessary, to the patients themselves. The members of the social organization ‘Narasewa Narayan Sewa’, established on his initiative, have been continuously running this service for 2 years.

‘A few years ago, when I reached Koshi Hospital, I was touched by the suffering of the Kuruwa found in the hospital courtyard,’ says Agarwal, ‘Some of them did not have the money for treatment . Some did not even have money to eat .  Then I decided to provide free food to the poor families .’

Koshi Hospital is a treatment center for many poor families in the east . It is difficult to provide even a single meal to the patients and Kuruwa who come from far-flung settlements, from Rangeli, Gramthan, Ratuwamai in Morang to Barju, Harinagar in Sunsari.  Says Agarwal, ‘I thought that even a small meal would provide them with relief . Now, in two years, we have fed more than 150,000 patients and Kuruwa.’

Food is cooked at Agarwal’s house for 250 to 260 people daily . About 25 kg of rice and 60-70 kg of vegetables are prepared. The daily cost of this is about 11 thousand rupees. The cooked food is placed in a vehicle and delivered to the hospital premises. He says, ‘We don’t ask anyone. If those who are willing to help, we will accept it.’

The hot vegetarian food served under the tarpaulin is not only food for the herders amidst the crowd and stress, but also a sweet taste of humanity. This ‘Manko Rasoi’ started by Agarwal has become a name of hope and support at Koshi Hospital today.