230 people eat meal for Rs 5 on day one at South Corner

Since the time Silchar based businessman Arnab Kar announced that he along with his wife Arpita Kar will offer meal at Rs 5 at his Rangirkhari restaurant South Corner, his idea spread across the entire Barak Valley through word of mouth.

Earlier, Kar had told BarakBulletin.com that he plans to start this from May 1 as labour day is celebrated on that day. Well, as planned, Kar along with his wife started their journey today, and 230 people availed the Rs 5 meal facility. “It was an amazing feeling, nothing beats a feeling of this sort,” said Kar after his day one experience.

Life time patron of Silchar Iskon Sripada Nirvay Das flagged off the initiative by serving the first few plates. The number of people could have been more feels Kar, as he shared, “Today, as it was our first day we were not prepared very well and that is the main reason why we had to stop after serving 230 individuals. A lot of people came and had to go back as there was nothing left. From tomorrow, we will plan it better as now we have an idea of the footfall and we can estimate accordingly” he adds.

From rickshaw pullers to servicemen, kids to old men, people of every sphere of life came and enjoyed the meal. “We are not going to restrict anybody, nor will we treat different people differently. Its the same food, same plate and same treatment and whoever wants can come and eat,” asserted Kar.

“Today a man came and sponsored meal for 500 people, so tomorrow whoever eats, won’t have to pay the Rs 5 for a plate. He has a wedding in his family and as a goodwill deed he decided to sponsor the meal,” he informs.

He does not believe that by offering meals at Rs 5 he will incur huge loses. “We offer dal, rice and one side dish, the money we get by collecting Rs 5 for each plate is enough to run this. We are not here to make profits; and even when there’s no profit, we are not even making losses either.”