I have some perspective(and bragging rights) on this issue as I have "worked"(volunteered my weekends) through the trenches of Canadian welfare state. I have a good opinion about private charity in India, contrary to the popular perception. However, when it comes to govt's role in providing emergency food and shelter, India does not come close to Canadian standards of delivery.

I used to volunteer at shelters in Toronto. Food was plenty and free for the homeless people. Three meals a day was guaranteed, if they planned their day/route at different shelters(all within walk-able distances). For lunch, the free meal included:- soup-of-the-day, salad, one meat item, desert, different kinds of bread and sometimes fruit. Besides, they were allowed to take the leftover items. Breakfast included cereal, milk, coffee, bread-margarine-jam, fruit, muffins and leftovers from dinners. Dinners included one meat item, rice, bread, veggie item, salad, desert and other stuff. Most meals of the day had meat in them.

The food bank I volunteered had mostly canned food, rice, flour, desserts, breads, beans, kids meals and sometimes frozen meat. There were emergency rations and there were regular rations by appointment. Most beneficiaries were poverty-ridden locals(single mothers and the kind), First Nations, refugees(especially the Latinos), people fresh out of jail and people with addictions. Then there were abusers of the system. Came from all backgrounds but not many Indians(probably due to not too many of them live in downtown). Lots of immigrants too. Chinese, some Lankans and most refugees(a large number of beneficiaries are Latinos).

So what has all that I posted got to do with the original post? Well, in my experience, I saw a lot of waste, pilferage, corruption, mismanagement, unfairness, extreme entitlement and a heavy burden on taxpayers.

The level of entitlement that prevails among those currently using the system is very high. Imagine if prepared meals were made a "human right" as almost made in TN, India by the Puratchi Thelaivi("Revolutionary Leader", as Kumari (Dr.) Jayalalitha calls herself, heh heh heh!) ! Canada would go bankrupt. Food is cheap in Canada, but bureaucratizing its distribution would bankrupt the Municipality/Province/Country.

I sympathise with the lower middle class of Canada. Hard working, living in modest accommodations/basements and barely getting by. They pay taxes too while providing crucial services to the community with many intangible benefits.

This is the most neglected class in Canada, with many struggling desis in its ranks. I believe more tax-breaks and better skills-development opportunities should be provided to the working-poor and lower middle-classes. But not irrelevant luxuries like cooked food and rations delivered via a corrupt system.

Overall, food (or lack of it) is not a major issue in a developed country like Canada.

n/t

Good post elmer. Thanks!

Hi Guys,
Wish to use this forum discussion thread to keep my views.
Apart from all that has been discussed and whetted by all above,I wish to start some kind of charitable activity like primary school with basic food and medical help provided in a small vilaage of Dorasi near Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh.
If anybody is interested in joining hands with me in whatever way you canhysical,mental,moral and emotional help or support,you are all welcome. This is purely tan,man,dhan sewa.Whatever you can give.No force at all.This is absolutely voluntary support for a noble cause in a very small rural and remote village.If you can't give anything of the above:NO PROBLEM.Even if you devote some of your time in providing suggestions and / or ideas,you are more than welcome to call me on 647-721-0352.
Sincere thanks & Warmest Regards,
Vinaay N Punjabbi

Vinaay,
Good effort. All the very best.
I am not sure if you know this but in India, there are already a lot of these organizations and they are registered with the Govt.. They have a website, have provision to pay online and have a fund raising committee.
I once got a call and agreed to sponser. After that I used to get calls daily, from diff. organizations asking me to sponser. When I look at their website, it all seems legitimate, with pictures , their vision etc..
You can be one, who can collect money from Canadian Indians and help poor indians in india. While in Canada, I hardly realized the poverty in 3 rd. world countries but once here, I do realize.
In the same way, you should also make a website, put picture, say your plans, register with the Indian gvot. for people to give.
As far as I know, many (if not most) CD's are kanju's and will never give any money. Hope I am wrong.

murali

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