The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forebode of a year sprinkled with scattered dreams, unknown struggles and dashed hopes which pushed thousands into despair. Overnight, people were out of jobs and subsequently out of food and sleep. When the drive to survive kicked in, even the resolve to fight the fight waned.

After the nationwide lockdown, the job cuts were the last nail in the coffin. With no jobs or an alternate means of earning in sight, the poor and daily wage earners found themselves pushed against a wall of hopelessness.

© Twitter dsramu

That’s when several people found a saviour in Ramu Dosapati. An MBA graduate and HR Manager by profession, Ramu stepped up to open a ‘Rice ATM’ in his locality with an aim to help the needy with basic food necessities.

Since the imposition of the lockdown in March, not a single day has passed when Ramu hasn't helped feed a few families. His concept is simple, “I believe that no one should sleep hungry,” so anyone who doesn't have rice for their next meal can collect the grains from him which is enough to last for five days.

© Twitter dsramu

Ramu operates his Rice ATM from his home in LB Nagar, Hyderabad. His service has since become a blessing for thousands of poor and needy who are facing the brunt of the virus outbreak one way or another.

The Rice ATM is operational 24x7 and anyone in need can visit his residence to retrieve a ration kit which contains rice and few other grocery items. It’s been 170 days of continuous service for Ramu who has since fed at least 15,000 families. Ramu had launched the ATM using his personal savings of Rs 1.5 lakh which then went up to Rs 5 lakh over time, including Rs 3 lakh from his provident fund savings.

© Twitter dsramu

Ask him what inspired him and Ramu would tell you about two incidents which played a major role in his decision. His accident and head injury in 2006, when “I prayed to god and promised that I would serve people if I get a new lease of life,” and when he witnessed a watchman's family spend Rs 2,000 to feed migrant workers, “I wondered why I should not offer services to the poor and needy when they can.”

Now his good work and dedication has inspired people to come forward and contribute, so that the initiative can keep going. Speaking to IANS, Ramu said, “I advise them to start similar work in their respective areas. There is a lot to do in every area because there are people who cover 15-20 km distance to come to our ATM. Hyderabad has over one crore population and I want to see that no one sleeps hungry.”

© Twitter dsramu

The Rice ATM kits are meant for three categories. Five-day kits for migrant and daily wage workers, the 15-day kit for those who work as private school teachers, workers in hotels, delivery boys, drivers and the likes who are not receiving salaries or are unemployed. The one-month kit is being distributed amongst senior citizens, poor people who tested positive for Covid-19.

Although Ramu started out with migrant workers, over time his beneficiaries have extended to menial workers, auto and cab drivers, delivery workers, cultural artists and teachers amongst others. Today, Ramu’s Rice ATM feeds 150-170 families every month and many people are using his initiative to help the needy.

“With social media posts and media reports, I could reach many people. So now many have been donating rice bags to us to celebrate special occasions like birthdays. This has helped us keep things going. I have also advised them to do similar relief work in their local areas to help out.”

© Twitter dsramu

A native of Nalgonda district in Telangana, this isn’t the first time Ramu has come forward to help people in need. Reportedly, from donating blood to participating in social media challenges such as the Tiffin box challenge and exchanging plastic with sapling initiative, he has been doing his best to make a difference.

People like Ramu and their selflessness often go unnoticed, but we are glad, his efforts have not only made a difference to thousands of people but also inspired others to do their bit to help out those in need.

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