Rayagada: The poor and shelterless or those abandoned by their family make a crowd at a chicken shop at Kalyansinghpur village bus stand in Rayagada district every Thursday. The reason?
Shop owner Sheikh Mohamad Qasim (35), popularly known as Qasim Chacha, a softspoken philanthropic Muslim, distributes rice, dal, vegetable and chicken curry along with a sweetmeat among the hungry people gathered outside his shop. Absolutely out of charity. He has been doing this for the past two years as a service to feed those in need.
Interestingly, Qasim who hailed from Andhra Pradesh started the chicken meat shop here a few years back.
“I have travelled several places in search of bread and butter for my family. I used to sleep on the footpath without food for days. By God’s grace I managed to open a chicken shop here,” recollects Qasim Chacha.
“Nowadays, children abandon their old parents as a burden. Such people who are starved and cannot earn for themselves stand at my shop. If I manage to help a few such hungry people, it will make me emotionally happy,” he added.
“The food he and his family members cook is good and tasty. Moreover, it is absolutely free,” said a resident who has tried Qasim’s meals.
