Puri, swa news : While lakhs of devotees thronged the grand boulevard of Puri, the ancient coastal town in Odisha, to witness Lord Jagannath’s chariot roll through history, a quieter, deeply human story was unfolding behind the scenes. In the kitchens of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), with support from the Adani Group, plates of steaming dalma (an Odia delicacy), fragrant rice, tangy tomato chutney, and warm gulab jamuns were being lovingly served — not to VIPs or pilgrims, but to the tireless men and women keeping the nine-day sacred Yatra safe.
Members of the Odisha Swift Action Force (OSAF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), Odisha Special Armed Police (OSAP), and the elite Swatantra Shree Mandir Surakshya Vahini (SSMSV) — specially constituted for Jagannath temple security — were among those who took a moment from duty to share in the sacred prasad.
In an extraordinary gesture of appreciation, the Adani Group and ISKCON opened their kitchens not just for devotees but for those who serve silently. Security personnel, railway staff from East Coast Railways, and state government employees — who have been on high-alert 24×7 — were all offered sanctified meals prepared with devotion and gratitude.
“The meal reminded us that someone sees our work, someone thanks us,” said a member of the SSMSV, pausing over his plate of prasad. For many, it wasn’t just nourishment — it was recognition. Over the past few days, thousands of such frontline workers, from constables to commandants, clerks to loco-pilots, have experienced not just relief but a deep sense of inclusion in the spiritual essence of the Yatra. The idea behind this seva was rooted in the Adani Group’s long-standing belief that festivals are not just spectacles of devotion — they are also collective efforts of human resilience.
“This is seva in its truest form,” said a senior official from the Adani Foundation. “Feeding those who protect, guide, and support the Rath Yatra is our way of expressing reverence—not just to the deities, but to the karma yogis walking among us.” The Adani Group, known for its infrastructural and CSR footprint in Odisha, partnered with ISKCON to ensure nutritious meals, hygiene, and scale—while maintaining the spiritual sanctity of prasad. Volunteers worked in shifts, and ingredients were sourced locally, keeping traditions intact.
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