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From Medical Student To Sadhu, Rupmaya Prabhuji Left Everything Behind To Serve Hundreds In Need
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Story of the changemaker
They say that everyone has a calling, with some finding it unexpectedly later in life, while others uncover it in their early years. Rupmaya Prabhuji's journey led him to his calling while he was studying to be a doctor. He left everything behind to join ISKCON’s mission and embrace the life of a sadhu, dedicating himself to helping hundreds of individuals each day.
“Many from my family are doctors, and I thought that it was my path too. But when I was in medical college, I realised that while my purpose was to impact people’s lives, there was another for me to do it. That’s when I moved to Vrindavan and was deeply touched by the plight of the people here. Whether it’s the widowed women, daily wagers or the elderly, each of their struggles were the same - poverty and hunger.” - Rupmaya Prabhuji
Today, hundreds of people line up every morning to receive the first meal of their day - all thanks to Rupmaya Prabhuji.
The Suffering, Hunger And Helpless Of The People During Covid Motivated Him To Do More
In 2018, Rupmaya Prabhuji started a mission to provide food to the poor in Vrindavan through his NGO, Shri Radha Rani Anna Kshetra. As the pandemic unfolded, this small effort gained a much greater significance.
“The pandemic and lockdowns were some of the most difficult times in people’s lives. They lost everything they knew, and the need was ever-increasing. Vrindavan has many daily wagers, and they all support a family of 4-5 while being the sole breadwinners. With the pandemic, they had no job or money. There are also so many matajis who come here seeking refuge and their only means of survival are relying on the kindness of others, they too didn’t have anyone to lean on. That’s when we decided to double our efforts.”
Despite the many challenges of navigating through the pandemic and lockdown, Rupmaya Prabhuji ensured that fresh and healthy food reached daily wagers, the elderly, widows and others in need almost every day.
“Most of us don’t realise how even one meal can make a difference to a family. For many of them, these meals we serve are a lifeline.”
Shri Radha Rani Anna Kshetra now provides food to more than 1,500 people daily. This number also includes the two schools they've taken under their wing, which had to shut down earlier due to a shortage of resources. The food is prepared in a clean and hygienic kitchen, starting at around 6 a.m. every morning, and then it's distributed to hundreds of people.
Shortage Of Groceries Continue To Affect Their Meaningful Food Drive
One of the biggest challenges they face is the lack of regular donors, which causes a shortage of funds and in turn, affects the quantity of groceries they can get. While they receive donations during special occasions, maintaining a consistent stream of support has become increasingly difficult.
"Some days, we find ourselves short of rice, while on others, it's dal, but we try despite these challenges. I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to healthy meals, and with more support, we can help countless people in need. We do all this with love and patience, even ensuring that the food we provide suits the weather conditions. We are committed to leaving no stone unturned for the well-being of all these individuals.”
Rupmaya Prabhuji needs your support to get groceries so that he can continue his feeding drives every day and give hundreds of people the fresh, nutritious meals they deserve.
About the NGO: Shri Radha Rani Anna Kshetra, led by Rupmaya Prabhuji, is a heartfelt initiative that provides daily nourishment to over 1,500 people in Vrindavan. Rupmaya Prabhuji's journey from medical student to sadhu was driven by a deep sense of purpose to combat poverty and hunger. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their mission became even more critical as they expanded their efforts to support daily wage earners, widowed women, and the elderly. Despite challenges, they continue to serve fresh, healthy meals from a clean kitchen, including two adopted schools.
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