Faizan Khan/Agra

A poet’s invocation to God that no child should cry of hunger in the night inspired Zeenat Zeeshan Khan to do something for ending hunger among children in her town Agra, Uttar Pradesh and around. No wonder she is today known by her nickname 'Khaane Wali Didi' (Sister who serves food) in the settlements of the poor people.

Zeenat's organization called Pahal (Initiative) comprises three persons. They distribute food prepared in the kitchen of her house by her cook Hari Gopal, among the poor children every day.Not only this, she also organizes school admissions and medical camps for poor children. The most touching aspect of Zeenat’s work is that she solicits no help and spends her money on this project.

“It gives me a lot of comfort and happiness,” Zeenat says about her work. “These needy people have now become members of my family. How can you leave them hungry?”

Zeenat Zeeshan Khan and Pahal volunteers serving food to children

Pahal’s uninterrupted work must have saved many lives during the Covid-induced lockdown, for she never discontinued feeding children in those hard times.

Zeenat Zeeshan Khan has a three-member team visiting the slums of Agra and nearby Etah, Kasganj, and surrounding districts for surveys.

The team tries to understand the needs of the children in terms of food and education. “Our organization distributes food among the needy. Besides, we also make out if the children go to school. We then enroll the left-out children in the nearby schools,” says Zeenat.

Pahal bears the costs of admitting children to schools and their fees, books, and uniforms. “A team of doctors sets up medical camps in these bastis. The doctors charge nominal fees from the people. We also pay for prescriptions and those needing treatments are admitted to FH Medical College.

She also works for the environment by planting trees around and creating awareness about the environment.

Zeenat Khan celebrating Independence Day with children

Mohammad Amil, who works for Pahal, says that children are fed food at their homes and they don’t have to go to some other place.

Zeenat Zeeshan launched Pahal after a chance interaction with a child beggar sitting outside a shrine. He refused to accept money from her and told her he wants food and not money. It was a life-changing moment for her.

Zeenat decided to help more such hungry children.

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She believes that all those who can afford must come forward to help the hungry children. “People spend a lot of money on celebrating their or children’s birthdays and wishes. On such an auspicious occasion, if you feed the hungry people, your children will get their heartfelt wishes and blessings.”