Ranchi: While the poll parties and the security arrangements dominated the spotlight on Sunday, a day ahead of the February 23 civic body polls, a group of 16 women from the ‘Palash Didi Café’ quietly ensured that the civic election machinery ran on time and on full stomachs.At the dispatch centre set up at Morabadi Ground and coordinated through the district administration office on the Kutchery Road, the women-led self-help group managed food services from 5 am until nearly 8 pm on Sunday.From steaming cups of early morning tea and breakfast packets to full meals for the polling personnel, their stalls turned into a lifeline for over 2,000 officials, security staff and volunteers reporting for duty.“We started before sunrise because polling teams begin arriving very early. Everything has to be fresh and ready on time. There is no room for delay,” said Punam Devi of the café.The menu was simple but hearty — fish and rice priced at Rs 120, chicken rice at Rs 100, and a vegetarian thali at Rs 50. The team also arranged snacks in the evening for the personnel observing ‘roza’, ensuring they could break their fast comfortably.“We understand their needs. Some want light food, some need packed meals to carry along. Our job is to make sure no one leaves hungry,” Punam added.The group has been associated with election-related services since 2015 and said they have scaled up steadily.“Managing food for such a large group of people is challenging, but it feels good to contribute to the democratic process,” said Neelam Devi, another ‘didi’ at the café.
