Odisha police constable feeds hungry: Inspiring volunteer initiative

Bhubaneswar: For Niranjan Nayak, a 32-year-old police constable with the 7th Battalion of Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP), duty does not end with his uniformed service. When the day’s work is over, Nayak steps into a different role — that of a changemaker feeding the hungry.Since 2021, Nayak has led a group of around 70 volunteers on a mission to serve simple Odia meals to those in need. From hospitals and railway stations to bus stands and roadside shelters, the team ensures that no one goes to bed hungry.Their menu is simple yet comforting — rice, dalma and khata — cooked with care and distributed. A native of Satyabadi in Puri district, Nayak has been posted in Bhubaneswar since 2018.His inspiration came during his service as a PCR driver, which exposed him to the city’s underbelly. “I saw people struggling for a single meal. That stayed with me and pushed me to do something meaningful,” he recalled.The initiative runs entirely on donations. The food is prepared at a modest setup in Barang and transported in a hired tempo to various locations. “We aim to feed at least 60 to 70 people every day,” Nayak said, adding that the work is done during his spare time, without affecting his official duties.What makes this effort remarkable is its consistency. For nearly five years, Nayak and his team have kept the wheels turning, despite challenges. “Sometimes funds are short, but the support from friends and well-wishers keeps us going,” he said.For those who receive the meals, it is more than just food — it is hope. At Capital Hospital, Jagannath Behera, an elderly attendant, said, “In times of distress, this plate of rice feels like a blessing.”Similar sentiments were echoed at bus stands and railway stations where the group’s presence has become familiar.Nayak desires to expand the initiative to more people. “Humanity should never take a backseat. If each of us contributes a little, the world will be a better place,” said the constable.In a time when headlines often speak of crime and conflict, and the role of police in maintaining law and order, Nayak’s story is a reminder that compassion still exists — sometimes in the heart of a man in uniform.