Campaign for humanity: Shamim Ahmed’s “Food for All” in Kolkata feeds the hungry without discrimination, inspiring food banks across India since 2018.
By Qalam Times News Network | Kolkata | September 27, 2025
Campaign for Humanity and Dignity
The story of Shamim Ahmed is inseparable from his lifelong dedication to human rights and communal harmony. Among his many initiatives, his “Food for All” campaign stands out as one of the most impactful. Known as Quaid-e-Urdu in West Bengal, Shamim Ahmed has worked tirelessly across fields of justice, unity, and welfare — whether advocating for communal peace, supporting prisoners like Sarabjit Singh, providing shelter for the homeless, or raising his voice against hate. But the campaign to ensure that no one in Kolkata goes to bed hungry has made him a symbol of compassion beyond religious or social divides.
A Night That Changed Everything
The inspiration for the “Food for All” campaign came on the night of January 26, 2018, when Shamim Ahmed encountered an elderly man shivering outside the MLA Hostel in Kolkata. Despite the grandeur of the neighborhood, the man had not eaten and lay hungry on the footpath. Deeply moved, Ahmed covered him with his shawl, arranged food through his driver, and fed him with his own hands. Discovering that this was not the old man’s first hungry night, Ahmed felt personally responsible. He later confessed that he could not sleep for many nights after this encounter. This incident compelled him to form a team of friends — both Hindus and Muslims — united by the resolve to make sure no one around them would sleep hungry again.
Birth of the Food for All Movement
On Republic Day 2018, Shamim Ahmed officially launched the “Food for All” campaign with a modest start: a van purchased for ₹3.5 lakh, carrying hot meals across Kolkata’s neighborhoods. The objective was simple yet profound — provide food to anyone in need, without barriers of religion, caste, or community. From pavements to slums, the food van became a symbol of dignity and inclusivity. The campaign grew rapidly and inspired others, eventually leading to the spread of food banks across India.
A Spiritual Foundation
When asked about his motivation, Ahmed often recalls an incident from the life of Hazrat Ibrahim (Peace be upon him). He narrates how the Prophet initially refused food to a non-believer but was reminded by Allah, through Jibril (Gabriel), that sustenance is granted to all — believers and non-believers alike. This teaching became a guiding principle for Ahmed: feeding the hungry is a duty that transcends faith. For him, “Food for All” is not charity but service — delivering what Allah has already provided to those in need.
Beyond Food: A Broader Vision
Shamim Ahmed’s efforts go far beyond meals. His work embodies a vision of communal unity, where Hindus and Muslims join hands for service, not division. By framing hunger relief as a collective moral responsibility, he has built a movement that restores dignity, prevents desperation, and fosters solidarity across communities.
