“Food is a matter of right. If there is no food available even for a single person, we will destroy this world” said Poet Subramanya Bharathi.

In a bid to satiate the hunger pangs of the needy, the Coimbatore District Home Guards took part in the ‘Zero Hunger Hour’ campaign by distributing food packets to the poor.

On the occasion of World food day, nearly 75 home guards personnel participated in the Campaign and distributed food packets to the needy. The hour between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm was observed as the Zero Hunger hour.

Food packets were distributed to the old, homeless and mentally unstable. The campaign was conducted in five areas including Mettupalayam, Annur, Kovilpatti, Sirumugai and Karamadai.

“We distributed food to people who were very poor, old and homeless. They were overwhelmed and thanked us profusely. They were surprised to see men in uniform feed them,” said V. Devdas, Company Commander, Mettupalayam Unit.

“We conducted this campaign to motivate others so that they come forward and feed the poor. If people get motivated and come forward to help, no one will die of hunger,” said M. Jaikumar, Company commander, Thudialur unit.

“The satisfaction that one gets when a poor man conveys his thanks whole heartedly after a full stomach is truly heartening and everyone should experience it.”

He added that they are planning to conduct a haircut campaign very soon for the beggars in the streets with the help of few like-minded people.

“The state of beggars we met during the zero hunger hour campaign was heart-wrenching. Few of them were mentally retarded, dirty and unkempt. So we planned to help the hapless keep themselves clean and groomed, ” said Jaikumar.

Poverty prevails, not due of the lack of money, but due to the lack of kindness and humanity, he said quoting the great poet who strived for the welfare of the under privileged.