Now an 'Amma Canteen' in Agra

No one in Agra shall go hungry now, say a group of young enterprising businessmen who have opened a 'Maa ki Rasoi' (Mother's Kitchen) where decent lunch in hygienic conditions is available for just Rs 5.

"In the morning, from 8 to 10, we distribute tokens so that we have a fair idea of the numbers to be fed. The kitchen opens at 12 noon and remains open till 2 p.m. Anyone can have food here, in comfortable ambience," said Piyush Goyal, a member of the group.

The fresh and hot food is served in steel plates. After eating, people have to wash the plates which are again washed by the staff with soap and water.

The 'Maa ki Rasoi' is located on the main Yamuna Kinara Road to the Taj Mahal. It opened on Tuesday and its popularity is catching up.

The daily menu includes daal, vegetable, four chapatis, rice, pickles, a piece of sweet petha.

More units of the kitchen are expected to be added. "The funds come from voluntary sources. Many are contributing in kind."

Ram Pyaari, an elderly woman, said after a hearty meal: "This is wonderful. After so many days I have had a good fill. The food is tasty."

The Agra experiment is an answer to the government-sponsored canteens in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The best feature is the quality assurance as some of the organisers and supporters in Agra themselves eat at the kitchen.

--IANS

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