From Hunger to Hope: How Malleshwar Now Feeds Thousands Daily

Inspirational stories of good act as force multipliers of positive change. Here is one such touching story of a former child labourer, Malleshwar, who went to bed hungry but now ensures that 2,000 to 3,000 people in Hyderabad don’t suffer the same fate each day.

“I used to struggle to get a single meal. But for the last 12 years, I’ve been feeding thousands,” says Malleshwar. Born to daily-wage workers, his childhood was marked by hardship and hunger. There were days when he had nothing to eat, surviving only on water. With support from an NGO, he managed to finish school. To pay for college, he worked as a waiter —juggling work, studies, and survival.

It was during one such event, catering to over 500 guests, that he had a life-changing realisation. Watching heaps of food go to waste, he called his friends and suggested they distribute the leftovers to those in need. They laughed at him. “First fill your own stomach, then think about others,” they told him.

But Malleshwar knew the pain of sleeping hungry. He didn’t let the mockery stop him. That moment sparked the birth of his movement: Don’t Waste Food. Every day since, he and a small team of friends collect excess food from weddings, parties, hostels, and corporate events. With just a scooter, they now feed thousands daily. “If we had a four-wheeler, we could reach even more people,” he says.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Malleshwar stepped up further—feeding stranded migrant workers, families of hospital patients, and children in slums. “Everyone can do something,” he insists. “If you have a few extra rotis, don’t throw them away—feed someone in need. If we all do our bit, no one in the world has to sleep hungry.”

Aditya Birla Group is happy to partner The Better India to give voice to inspiring stories of people acting as #AForceForGood.