In a country where millions travel by train every day, one route stands out — not just for its 2,000-kilometre journey or 39 station stops, but for something far more heartwarming: 29 years of non-stop, free meals served to passengers from all walks of life.
The train connecting Nanded (Maharashtra) to Amritsar (Punjab) has quietly built a legacy of compassion. At six major stations along the route, volunteers prepare and serve fresh kadhi-chawal or khichdi to passengers — with no bills, no discrimination, and no expectations.
From students with empty pockets to weary daily-wage workers, senior citizens, and curious tourists, everyone eats the same hot meal — a symbol of unity, dignity, and timeless service.
- Initiated in 1996, the food seva began as a small community effort and has grown into a structured, self-sustained act of kindness.
- Food is cooked fresh at six stations, including Akola, Bhopal, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, and Ambala.
- Volunteers coordinate across states, ensuring no meal is ever missed, regardless of weather or rail delays.
A station volunteer at Bhopal shared,
“We don’t ask who you are or where you’re from. If you’re hungry, you eat. That’s all that matters.”
Run by local gurdwaras, community kitchens, and good samaritans, the initiative thrives on donations and shared purpose — making it one of India’s longest-running, silent revolutions of kindness.
As the train rolls across the heart of India, it carries more than passengers — it carries a message: that compassion travels farther than any train ever could.
