Doctors’ Choice and the Bharat Chamber of Commerce announced the successful conclusion of the first phase of their joint initiative, Porishkar Haath, Porishkar Paat. This large-scale public health and food safety awareness campaign is dedicated to promoting safer food handling practices among Kolkata’s vibrant street food vendor community.

​ Over two months, the initiative achieved significant outreach, engaging over 1,200 street food vendors across diverse locations in Kolkata, including Dacres Lane, Tollygunge, Park Circus, Gariahat, Saltlake, and New Market, among many others. The core objective was to equip these vendors with practical knowledge regarding hygiene standards, effective waste management, and consumer health safety.

​As part of the program, participating vendors were provided with hygiene kits, which included essential safety tools such as protective gloves and caps, along with informational guidelines to ensure sustained hygiene practices. Following the training sessions, more than 30 vendors who demonstrated active engagement were formally felicitated in the presence of distinguished guests, including food historian Mr. Kamal Banerjee and Mr. Dhiman Das of K.C. Das.

​Reflecting on the success, Mr. Dhinal Brahmbhatt, Chief Business Officer at Doctors’ Choice, highlighted that street food is an integral component of Kolkata’s identity and livelihood. He emphasized that the initiative aimed to build consumer trust and support business growth through education.

​The leadership at Doctors’ Choice expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic response from the vendors, noting that their willingness to adopt safer practices is crucial for fostering a healthier urban environment. Mr. Shivam Agarwal, Director of Marketing & Strategy at Doctors’ Choice, reiterated the company’s commitment to continuing this mission, viewing this initiative as a step toward building a more responsible street food ecosystem.

​The organizers have confirmed that the project will maintain its momentum, with the second phase of the initiative scheduled to commence in June 2026. By continuing to foster grassroots engagement and providing actionable solutions, Doctors’ Choice and the Bharat Chamber of Commerce aim to make a lasting impact on public health standards across Kolkata’s evolving culinary landscape. This initiative serves as a model for public-private partnerships focused on community welfare and sustainable urban development.

Priyanka Dutta