Chimmukla Ghass Foundation feeds Pune’s forgotten

Every evening, as Pune's streets begin to empty, Santosh Gupta and his team from the Chimmukla Ghass Foundation set out with food packets for those who have nowhere to go.

- Shubham Kurale

What started as a simple effort to feed 30 people daily has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of the city’s homeless, elderly, abandoned and destitute.

From Kalyaninagar to Shivajinagar, Gupta’s childhood wish to help those "lying on the roadside" has transformed into a foundation that not only feeds but also heals and restores dignity.

Childhood promise

“Since my childhood, I have felt bad for these helpless, poor people whenever I used to see them lying on the roadside. And I had decided then that I would share a part of my income to feed the needy,’ Gupta said.

When Gupta started his travel venture, Shree Vinayak Holidays, with a steady income stream established, he decided to work on his childhood resolution by founding Chimmukla Ghass Foundation.

Starting with 30 packets a day, the foundation now distributes 100 food packets daily across Pune Camp, Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Shivajinagar, and neighbouring areas. Each packet has roti, sabji, dal, rice and a water bottle, with the menu rotating to include idlichutney, and pav bhaji, among other options, while monitoring their nutritional requirements.