Page 13 - Reliance Foundation Annual Report 2021-22

Providing essential services

for vulnerable communities

Mission Anna Seva

The pandemic was not just a health crisis but also an
economic crisis, with major implications for vulnerable
communities across India. Recognising the danger,
Reliance Foundation launched its flagship Mission Anna
Seva initiative, to provide meals to struggling Indians. It
has turned into the largest meal distribution programme
by a corporate foundation anywhere in the world,
supporting vulnerable communities with cooked meals,
ready-to-eat food packets, food coupons and dry ration
kits in 19 states and 4 Union Territories.

This was made possible by the support of Reliance
Retail teams across India, as well as volunteers who
packed, prepared and supplied provisions. Over 200
distribution partners then helped supply relief kits and
bulk rations to 200+ partner NGOs engaged in hunger
alleviation programmes and community kitchens for
those in need. Mission Anna Seva was also a lifeline
for migrants making the long trek home after work
dried up in the cities. These efforts were supported by
volunteers from across Reliance work sites in Mumbai,
Silvassa, Vadodara, Patalganga, Hazira, Jhajjar,
Shahdol, Jamnagar, Dahej, Barabanki, Nagothane,
Gadimoga and Hoshiarpur, who distributed meals in
their respective locations.

The programme had a wide range of beneficiaries
– frontline workers, daily-wage workers, migrant
labourers, slum-dwellers, factory workers and residents
of old-age homes and orphanages. Over 8.5 crore
meals were delivered to these vulnerable people.
It also served truck-drivers transporting essential
goods during lockdowns, who would otherwise have
struggled to find food as most roadside eateries were
closed. Reliance petrol pumps in West Bengal, Kerala
and Odisha made special arrangements to feed these
truck drivers.

Reviving the livelihood of artist Chinthamani

The village of Chinthamani in Madurai district is home to a large number of
artisans, particularly musicians who play instruments at weddings, temple
ceremonies and karagattam (dance performances). The cancelation
of public events during the lockdown left these artisans to fend for
themselves, with no source of income. They were struggling to make
ends meet. In this dire scenario, Reliance Foundation supported the
families with essentials like food, groceries and masks & sanitisers. It
also arranged for members of the community to be taken for vaccination
Muthupadi is a resident of Chinthamani
village and lives with more than 100 centres, so that they would be protected and ready to resume work as
other artisan families soon as the restrictions eased.

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