In the lanes near Jama Masjid, hunger is a daily reality. While many notice it and move on, one hotel has followed a different path for decades.
Rahmatullah Hotel was founded in 1948, shortly after Independence and Partition. Food shortages were widespread, and many families could not afford even basic meals. The hotel’s founder decided that affordable food should be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
That principle continues today under the care of Rehman Qureshi, who is over 65 years old. Every morning at 5 a.m., before the hotel opens for business, 20 to 50 people are served hot rotis and cooked food free of cost. Only after this does the hotel begin serving paying customers.
People who eat outside the hotel include daily wage workers, people who have lost money, and those facing temporary hardship. No questions are asked. Food is served without reference to religion or background. Those who do not eat meat are given vegetarian food.
Customers also take part. For Rs. 50, anyone can sponsor a meal for someone outside. The same food costs Rs. 120 inside the hotel. Birthdays, anniversaries, recoveries, and personal milestones often turn into meals for strangers.
Qureshi believes hunger should be addressed before anything else. His message is simple. Giving should not stop when times are difficult.
