Gurugram, also referred to as Gurgaon, is a city located in northern India, just 32km outside India’s capital city, New Delhi. Until recently, Gurugram was an agricultural wasteland, but it has, for the most part, regenerated itself into an affluent town, which is home to offices of some of the world’s largest companies, such as Google and Nokia. Alongside these wealthy corporations and white-collar jobs, however, exists poverty-stricken villages and slums, where individuals did not adapt to this change, living in poverty with poor infrastructure, overcrowding and sewage contamination. Therefore, despite the city’s recent reformation, there are still prevalent rates of poverty, where communities are struggling with necessities.

Hunger in Gurugram

In its poorest areas, hunger in Gurugram is rife, which has now been exacerbated by COVID-19 and lockdowns. Since COVID, a large number of people rely on dry food rations, meaning many do not have access to a hot cooked meal. This is where the work of a nongovernmental organization (NGO), Rasoi on Wheels, which was set up in 2016, becomes relevant. The nonprofit is a grassroots initiative with a small number of team members who work to alleviate hunger in Gurugram.

As the name suggests, the charity exists as a mobile food truck, which prepares meal boxes in kitchens in the morning and delivers them straight to areas in need the same day. This increases access to healthy, safely cooked meals for less privileged communities. Rasoi on Wheels has served more than 50,000 meals since the foundation started, evidence of its positive impact in alleviating hunger.

Positive Outcomes of Mobile Food Resources

A result of food insecurity in Gurugram means that individuals are desperate to eat and they often consume out-of-date leftover foods, such as leftovers and scraps from bins. This dangerous practice leads to illness and severe cases of food poisoning, which negatively impacts the health and cleanliness of these areas. Therefore, as well as reducing hunger in Gurugram, Rasoi on Wheels also increases access to safe, fresh and nutritious foods, preventing individuals from resorting to dangerous methods of accessing food. The nature of mobile food resources is often praised as a driving force of positive change, commending the work of Rasoi on Wheels, as it “effectively expands food distribution to highly vulnerable populations.”

The Future of Gurugram

Gurugram is an example of how a city can be home to two extremes: rich and poor. Although its transformation to wealth is promising, we must also acknowledge that poor communities still lack basic amenities and resources, such as food. However, with the efforts and hard work of NGOs, there lies hope for a more equitable future for Gurugram, where prosperity is shared more equally.

– Amelie Bunce

Amelie is based in the UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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