This Army Soldier Fights Hunger, Not Wars With His Re 1 Janta Kitchen, Feeding 600 People Daily

‘Only hunger can show us the pain that inspires us to feed many more hungry souls’ 

Sakti, a 31 year-old Army hawaldar in Kolkata, has made it his mission to feed the hungry. What began as a deep, personal struggle with hunger in his own childhood has turned into a selfless initiative that now feeds over 600 people every single day through his Re 1 Janta Kitchen. 

Raised in a poor family, he knew the pain of going days without food - an ache that never truly leaves. 5 years ago, while returning from the Army, he encountered an elderly man lying on the streets, starving and thirsty. The image haunted him, reminding him of his own days struggling to afford a meal as a child. He couldn’t ignore it - he knew he had to act.

He cooks daily meals for 600 people from his own pocket 

That’s when he started Re 1 Janta Kitchen as a token amount to preserve their dignity. With his own hands, Sakti began cooking biryani, and later, dal, rice, sabji and feeding those in need with the little he had. With every meal he prepared, he didn’t just serve food; he gave 600 people a chance to survive another day.

He feeds hundreds of patient families daily outside 3 hospitals in Kolkata and North Bengal - even the pandemic couldn’t deter him from his mission to feed the hungry. 

“Every time I show up outside the hospital with my container full of warm food, I can see their longing for the first meal of their day. The happiness I receive by feeding them is incomparable,” - Sakti Paul 

As Sakti’s mission grew, so did the love and support from his community. He started a clothes bank for the needy and also runs a school in his own village, where over 70 children now have access to education. 

The kindness and generosity from the people around him were so immense that his workplace even granted him Fridays off to travel and teach the children at his school.

Once unsure and worried, his wife now supports his selfless mission

But no journey is without its challenges. When Sakti married his wife, Gitika, there were many sleepless nights filled with uncertainty. Gitika, like any wife would, struggled to understand why her husband was spending his entire salary feeding others instead of securing their own household. There were days when they barely had enough to afford the basics like milk and nutrition for their 18-month-old baby. 

Yet, through it all, Sakti never wavered in his belief that his pure intentions would be guided by God. Today, Gitika is not just a supporter; she is an active participant in the mission. Together, they cook, prepare meals, and set up the distribution kiosk outside the hospitals. 

Sakti’s journey proves how pure intention can not only transform lives, but it can also inspire and change those around you. Sakti’s mission to feed the hungry can grow even stronger with your support towards daily groceries. Every contribution - no matter how small - can make a real difference - donate now to feed 600+ people in need.  

About the NGO: Four years ago, Hawaldar Sakti Paul of the Indian Army started a humble initiative to serve biryani to hungry and underprivileged people in his community for just ₹1. This small act of kindness has since grown into the Unique Foundation, an organization that now serves meals to over 600 people daily across West Bengal. In addition to the meal service, Sakti Paul has also established a clothes bank, distributing donated clothing to those in need, and a school in Siliguri to provide underprivileged children with access to education. His dedication continues to uplift countless lives and bring hope to those who need it most.