Published on: March 2, 2026

Ruchimela 2026, the Food Fest organised by the staff and volunteers of Pallium India, was much more than a two-day event. It was a collective act of care, community, and commitment to palliative care welfare activities.

Held at the YWCA Hall, Spencer’s Junction, the fest witnessed a footfall of over 500 people across two days and raised an impressive ₹2.7 lakhs towards our ongoing palliative care initiatives. But numbers alone do not capture the spirit of what unfolded.

Ruchimela offered a wide and thoughtful range of food items including fresh vegetables and fruits, homemade powders, pickles, snacks, and full-course dishes, both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Every item carried a story. Most were prepared at home by staff, volunteers, and even beneficiaries who chose to contribute their skills and labour as part of the fundraising effort. It was not commercial catering. It was community cooking with intention. Each purchase made at a stall translated into direct support for palliative care. The act of buying food became an act of solidarity.

Alongside the sales counters, our advocacy desk remained active throughout the programme. Volunteers engaged visitors in conversations about palliative care, what it means, who it serves, and why it matters. With support from Sayanditya from the Resource Mobilisation team, who took charge of explaining the Annadanam programme, we ensured that Ruchimela was not only about fundraising but also about awareness building. For many visitors, this was their first structured interaction with the philosophy and scope of palliative care, which in itself is a significant outcome.

To an outsider, Ruchimela may have appeared to be a well executed two-day event. Those of us involved know it was the culmination of nearly a month of planning, coordination, sourcing, communication, and relentless follow ups. The volunteers, Shijo, a few other staff members, and I experienced firsthand the scale of effort it required, from logistics to invitations to ensuring every counter ran smoothly.

The turnout was not accidental. This time, I feel immense joy that we were able to create a good crowd on both days. The credit belongs to everyone who took the initiative to visit different places and personally invite people. That outreach made a visible difference. It was especially meaningful to see familiar faces, people we had earlier met at the Mathrubhumi Festival and at the creative festival for persons with disabilities, joining us again. Their presence reflected continuity in engagement and trust.

On a personal note, Ruchimela 2026 was particularly special because my mother, father, and uncle came to see my work firsthand for the first time. Their presence and encouragement meant more to me than I can articulate. In the middle of the rush, that quiet moment of recognition felt grounding.

The positive feedback from those who purchased items, the appreciation for the quality and variety of food, and the repeated suggestion that we should organise such food festivals more often transformed the effort into a deeply affirming success. What moved me most was the dedication of everyone involved. Many worked through personal health challenges and other difficulties, choosing to show up regardless. That is the spirit that defines our organisation.

Ruchimela 2026 reaffirmed something we often say but sometimes forget to pause and feel. The real strength of Pallium India lies in our togetherness. And over those two days, that strength was visible in every stall, every conversation, and every shared smile.