PUNE, July 1, 2013: The general perception that only the rich donate food (Anna Daan) is defined by people of Dehu, a small village located about 40 km from the city and known for the temple of Tukaram Maharaj.

A majority of Dehu's residents are farmers - simple, hardworking, compassionate, deeply devoted and spiritual. Their means are limited, but they keep the Anna Daan kendras (food distribution centres) well-stocked, and ensure that lakhs of devotees participating in the palkhi are well-fed.

There are four to five Anna Daan kendras in the village that serve food almost round-the-clock during the Ashadi Ekadshi procession, which started on Saturday. An estimated five to six lakh devotees would have been fed between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. "No devotee ever sleeps on an empty stomach," said a young worker at an 'Anna Daan' kendra.

Leading the consistent and

Committed group of activists, mostly young farmers from the village, is the Sant Tukaram Anna Daan Mandal, which is over 20 years old now. "In the early days, our mandal workers went from house to house collecting food grain, vegetables, oil and things that would help the cause. Over a period of time, traders and citizens have joined hands with us. A vegetable wholesaler from Market Yard provides us vegetables. This year, we needed veggies worth Rs 2 lakh," said Prashant Bhalekar, the treasurer of Sant Tukaram Anna Dan Mandal.

The Mandal served over 1 lakh devotees this year, for which it made a provision of around 70,000 bhakris, 40 gunny bags of sugar, 150 cans of cooking oil and 60 gunny bags of rice, all purchases funded by donations of not just well-to-do people from Dehu and adjoining places, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, but also the poor and the downtrodden. "Our village women need a special mention. All the bhakris we serve are made by them at home. Each house gives at least five bhakris," said Bhalekar.

Among those ensuring that devotees are not inconvenienced is Santosh Gade, who tills a small piece of land on the outskirts of the village. "Not a year has passed when I didn't contribute to the palkhi procession. If not financially, we contribute by donating oil or grain. In difficult times, our family members toil at the Anna Daan kendras," he said.

Personal losses here don't come in the way of spiritual commitments. Suresh Digambar More lost his part of his home during the Alandi-Dehu road extension work this year. He has been staying at a makeshift home in his farmland. The farm output was not good last year and excess rain this year has destroyed most of his standing crop. He shows a receipt of Rs 100 donation made at the Sant Tukaram Anna Dan Mandal. "I think we have a duty towards the warkaris. There should be no shortage of food," More said.

Eknath Botre gave two bullocks to pull the palkhis last year. He lost a significant portion of his land to road widening.

"This year I will donate food grain for most of my money has been invested in sowing."

Pimpri-based traders have been regulars here for over six years now. "We serve over 60,000 people every year. Importantly, we do not employ any cook. All food is prepared by our members, all men," said Laxman Lalwani, a member of the Baba Chaturam Lalmandir, Pimpri. "Business is important but peace of mind is invaluable," he said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 30, 2013.