At this Hubballi canteen, lunch costs just Rs 1
01:32PM Wed 18 Jan, 2017
HUBBALLI, Jan 18,2016: Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu may be serving idlis at Re 1 each but closer home, a canteen in namma Hubballi is dishing out full meals for the same amount. Roti Ghar in the heart of the city in Kanchgar Galli (Prathamshetty Oni) also has a noble aim: to eradicate hunger from society. And the lunch served is just what one would have at home: roti, rice, vegetable curry and sambar, with a sweet dish during special occasions.
Established five years ago by the Mahaveer Youth Federation, the canteen is a symbol of equity, with well-dressed office-going crowd sharing tables with slumdwellers and beggars, all for a meal worth Re 1. Kallappa Maregumpi, a vegetable seller, says, "I've been having lunch here since 2012. The menu is similar to what we make in our own homes. During festivals, we get sweets like holige, jilebi, karchikai and others. It's a great boon for us during afternoons," he adds.
The youth federation had initially started a hospital to offer fee medical service. But it got shut down for want of doctors. Thereafter the group turned it into a canteen and now gets a varied and mostly loyal clientele. Rajesh Bimagol, a worker in a retail shop, says, "It is small but neat and tidy. The shiny utensils and cleanliness of the staff attract visitors. It is ideal for daily wage earners. Good quality ingredients are used in the meals."
Tejraj Jain, president of Roti Ghar, says their canteen serves the lowest-priced meals made in north Karnataka style. "We don't take the money by hand. We have put a box where customers put in Re 1. The ghar functions from noon to 3pm. We have three people, Basavaraj Menasinakai, Gauramma Totageri and Savitramma, who serve customers," he added.
High on taste, hygiene "I am a regular customer at Roti Ghar. It is second to none in quality and taste. Moreover, the place as well as preparation is hygienic. There is no compromise on that. If we need more roti or rice, wer are not charged extra," said Tippanna Doddawad, auto driver.
TOI
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