By the time the sun begins to set over Berunda, Gautam Yadav has already put in a full day’s work. Like countless daily wage labourers, he spends his mornings and afternoons earning enough to support himself. But when most people begin returning home, Gautam sets out again.
As evening falls, he sets out with a cart and a purpose.
An evening round that feeds hundreds
For the last seven years, he has been going from one house to another, collecting leftover rotis that families set aside for him. The stack of flatbreads grows with every stop. Soon, the cart is full, and he begins another journey across the town, feeding stray cows and calves waiting along roadsides and open fields.
Nearly 300 animals now depend on this daily ritual.
There is nothing grand about the way Gautam carries out this work. No banners, no appeals for attention, and no expectation of reward. Only a man who cannot bear to see hungry animals searching through rubbish for food.
People in the locality have come to know him well. Many keep rotis ready before he arrives, knowing exactly where they will end up. He also ensures the food he distributes is free of plastic and other waste that often harm stray animals.
When one person’s routine becomes a community habit
The commitment has not come without sacrifice. Life as a daily wage worker is uncertain, and there are days when every rupee matters. Still, he has never allowed those hardships to stand in the way of what he believes is right.
Over the years, his dedication has inspired neighbours to join in, turning a personal act of compassion into a shared community effort. His efforts have encouraged others to look at the animals around them with greater compassion and responsibility.
In a world that mostly celebrates big achievements, Gautam’s story is a gentle reminder that some of the most meaningful acts happen away from attention. One evening at a time, one roti at a time, he continues to make sure hundreds of stray animals do not go to sleep hungry.
