The sēvā activities for Mother’s Kitchen October 2024 started on the eve of Dīpāvalī, when devotees converged at the Centre to chop vegetables. About an hour before, staff from All India delivered sacks of vegetables—including beans, carrots, cauliflowers, potatoes, green peas, soya chunks, tomatoes, mint and coriander leaves. A tarpaulin sheet was spread over the carpets on level one; cutting boards, scrapers and knives were passed to the devotees, who then began scraping and dicing the vegetables for lunch the next day. The lunch—comprising vegetable biriyani, raita and kesari—were meant not for the devotees coming to the Centre but the needy in a neighbouring locale.
An hour and a half later, the chopping was done. Each vegetable was placed in separate containers and stored in the refrigerator.
The next day, after the morning satsaṅg and Dīpāvalī brunch, more than 40 members began packing the cooked food. They were divided into four teams: one to pack the veg. biriyani in brown, wax paper; another to pack the raita into small plastic containers; a third to pack the kesari; and a fourth, to put these three packs into a separate bag for distribution.
The packed food was loaded into the boots of devotees’ cars, which drove to the Kampong Kapor Community Services Centre (KKCSC) at Kitchener Road. There are a few blocks comprising single-room rental apartments here. Devotees gathered at the pavilion between blocks 1 and 2 to distribute the food. Some beneficiaries had already gathered there for the distribution.
Devotees tied the banner announcing Amriteswari Society’s Mother’s Kitchen activity at the pavilion, and began distributing. Before long, many residents from blocks 1 and 2 made a beeline for the food distribution. Volunteers and staff of the KKCSC helped to spread the word, and even passing migrant workers came forward eagerly to receive their Dīpāvalī lunch. As each packet of food was given out, devotees from Amriteswari Society chimed, “Happy Dīpāvalī!” The beneficiaries reciprocated with warm greetings and expressions of gratitude.
In between distributing food packets, devotees learnt from the staff of KKCSC that there are needy, elderly people living in other nearby flats who are immobile. The devotees decided to carry food packets to them. Devotees formed smaller teams of about three of four, and the staff from KKCSC led them to the flats.
Close to 250 lunches were delivered on Thursday, October 31st, 2024. Amma says that the true purpose of any festival is “to redirect the mind, which is steeped in worldly matters, to the remembrance of God.” Amma also says that our duty to God is to serve the poor and suffering. On Dīpāvalī, her Singapore children were able to do just that through their humble Mother’s Kitchen service. Many expressed that because of the opportunity they had to serve others, Dīpāvalī had been especially fulfilling and festive. It was truly a gift from Amma.
We look forward to more opportunities to love and serve.
