Daulat Rahman/Guwahati

The saying "For hungry food is God" is attributed to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, implying that when people are severely hungry, food becomes their primary need and a symbol of divine provision. In essence, to a hungry person, food is their only reality, and God's presence manifests in the act of being fed. A young banker of Assam Abid Azad is a staunch believer of Mahatma Gandhi’s words.

Thousands of people in Assam do not meet Abid Azad to get money from the bank. They meet him on the streets, footpaths, hospitals to get delicious & healthy foods to end their hunger.

Since 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown brought the world to a standstill Abid Azad and his team have been distributing free foods among the poor, needy and patients in different parts of Assam’s capital city Guwahati. In the fast growing city like Guwahati where the people do not even have time to give a glance to the poor and hungry Abdi Azad stands apart as the hope and change maker of lives of the underprivileged.

Abid Azad's team offering food for Sehri to people during Ramzan

“The idea of distributing free foods took shape during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdown restrictions forced the closure of shops and restaurants. Families affected by the virus—especially the attendants of patients admitted at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH)—struggled to access basic necessities, particularly food,” Abid Azad told Awaz-The Voice.

Abid Azad’s mission during the pandemic was not an easy or rosy affair. The pandemic had claimed the lives of his close friends and many of them experienced its harsh realities firsthand. But they did not give up and a group of friends decided to come together and take action to provide free food. That’s how Raindrops Initiative Assam, an NGO was born.

“We began by cooking and delivering meals to COVID-affected families at their homes. As the need grew, we extended our services to the GMCH campus, where we served hundreds of attendants—many from economically weaker backgrounds and remote areas—who had come for treatment,” Abid Azad says

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Abid Azad's team offering food for Iftaar to people during Ramzan

“During the holy month of Ramzan, we noticed there was no facility for sehri (pre-dawn meal) for those observing the fast in the GMCH. We decided to step in and began distributing both sehri and iftar (evening break-fast meals). We've continued this for the last three years. Importantly, since we serve in a public space, these meals are distributed without any distinction of faith—beneficiaries include Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and others. It’s a deeply fulfilling experience,” Abid Azad says. During the last Ramadan month (2025) in this year not a single was passed when Abid Azad did not distribute sehri and iftar.

Abid azad's team offering fruit to people

The biggest challenge Abid Azad and his team face is fundraising. Their efforts are primarily driven by crowd-funding. Many people sponsor meals to commemorate special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or in memory of loved ones.

“At times, when funds fall short, we pool from our own pockets. In difficult times, we’ve even collected leftover food from wedding receptions late at night and distributed it the next day. But despite these challenges, this journey has been transformative. It’s given us a sense of purpose in our life and inner peace,” Abid Azad says.

Abid Azad says that his team comprises working professionals, entrepreneurs, and retired individuals who dedicate time and effort for this cause. Beyond the core team, thousands of well-wishers across Assam support Raindrops Initiative Assam, either directly or indirectly. Their contributions—whether financial, logistical, or moral—keep us going, he says.

Matiur Rahman, a relative of the patient admitted to the GMCH, said: "I had brought a patient from Morigaon district to the hospital. It was 2.30 am (on March 10, 2025) during the holy month of Ramadan. There is no hotel here, there is no good food. Finally I saw Abid Azad and his team distributing free Seheri at GMCH campus. In addition to Seheri, I had also got Iftar food here. I have done Seheri and Iftar here since the 10th day of Ramadan.”

Gogoi, an attendant of a patient at GMCH emergency ward said “I brought my patient at 1 am (on March 19, 2025) to the emergency ward. After the patient became a little stable I was feeling very hungry. Not a single eatery is opened in and around the GMCH. Eventually I landed up at Raindrops Initiative to have my dinner.”

Apart from free food distribution, Raindrops Initiative Assam is doing various other social welfare activities. "Many patients in GMCH have to buy expensive medicines. Many patients die at GMCH during their treatment at GMCH and their expensive medicines remain unused.  We contact the family members of such deceased patients and take the medicines to the doctors so that other poor patients can get them free of charge," Abid Azad says.

“Over time, our initiative has grown. New people continue to join us, bringing fresh energy and ideas. Besides our continuous food program, we have launched a plantation drive across Assam. Using the same crowd-funding model, we encourage people to dedicate and gift trees to their parents, teachers, children, or friends. It’s been incredibly successful— we have planted thousands of trees in various college, school, and university campuses, and we also focus on their maintenance,” Abid Azad says.