April 3: At a time when the lives of people across the country have been crippled by the lockdown, which is in place since March 24 to stop the possible spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), good Samaritans have also come forward to help the needy. Some restaurateurs and hoteliers are providing free meals to the people bearing the brunt of the lockdown.

From serving free lunch to police personnel and doctors to giving out free takeaway meals to stranded tourists, they are providing support to the needy at this time of crisis.

Here are some initiatives of a few restaurants and hotels to provide possible relief to people during the time of emergency.

Kathmandu Guest House (KGH)

From Day 1 of the lockdown, this iconic boutique hotel in Thamel has been distributing food to the needy ones as well as stranded tourists for free. “With the help from Thamel Tourism Board and coordination from police, we have distributed almost 3000 plus packets of packed food,” says Rajan Shakya, CEO of KGH Group of Hotels. Apart from that, it has been giving out ration to Rohingya refugees and has been providing PPEs to hospitals. “Provided that any hospital asks us for PPE, we go and give them,” says Shakya.

Dalle

Dalle has been serving the police personnel with free lunch every day since the beginning of the lockdown. It has been giving out around 150 lunch boxes every day. “We have stocks of vegetables and other groceries, which will rot if we don’t use. So, on one hand, serving food at this time will give us satisfaction and on the other, help the police force to do its duty properly as they don’t have to worry about going home or spending for lunch,” says Subhash Gauchan, co-founder of Dalle.  Gauchan says at this situation there is a need of mutual cooperation so that the ones who are at the forefront against the Covid 19 can do their duty properly without having the need to worry about basic things.

Bajeko Sekuwa

Bajeko Sekuwa has been serving free lunches from 11 am to 2 pm to the police personnel, doctors and needy people. It has been providing more than 100 plus lunch boxes every day. “As we are in the business of serving, it is our duty to serve not only at good times but also when people need us the most. This is our social responsibility and we couldn’t step back at this time of crisis,” says Sanjeev Kumar Timilsina, operation head of Bajeko Sekuwa.

Moondance Restaurant Pokhara

Moondance Restaurant and Bar in Pokhara provided free lunch from Day 1 of the lockdown to till the eight day to the stranded tourists. Now, as most of the tourists have returned to Kathmandu or their home country, they have recently stopped the service.

These are few examples of cooperation from the private sector during times of crisis. There are many players from the private sector who have been actively giving back to the society at the moment.