From Passion to Purpose: My Journey with Ek Plate Biryani

Hello!
We had a quick session with Muhammad Azghan Siddiqui, Head of Operations (Sindh and Balochistan) at Ek Plate Biryani. His journey and thoughts at such a young age are inspirational.

Us: Why did you join Ek Plate Biryani?

A: It all started because philanthropy has been a part of my life from the very beginning, and it’s a value that’s been passed down through my family for generations.

Growing up, I was taught that if someone needed help, we should be there – no questions asked.

Even as a child, I realized that by helping others, I ended up touching the lives of people who weren’t related to me by blood. I became a little ray of hope in a small way for some.

This realization was the catalyst for joining Ek Plate Biryani later in life.

I wanted to take what had been an informal tradition in our family and make it something bigger, something that could reach more people in need.

So, when in 2019, I embarked on a soul-searching journey, I crossed paths with Ek Plate Biryani, and it was like finding a missing piece of my heart. They were looking for someone to help carry out their work on the field and I was looking to stretch my boundaries.

Us: When did you join EPB?

A: I joined the organization on the very first day it opened its doors for operations, 1st of May, 2019. And there has been no looking back for me since then.

Us: What keeps you motivated?

A: The happy smiles of young children, the relieved smiles of the adults, when they feel someone is there to lend a hand.

Us: You have been doing relief work for a long time. Have you seen any incident that stayed with you?

A: Once traveling outside the city, I witnessed a child, no more than 10 years of age, trying to find food in the garbage. A child his age should have been in school, yet there he was, trying to get some scraps of food. I still cannot push that image out of my head.

Us: If we talk about a small thing or incident that brought more happiness than you had anticipated, what comes to your mind first?

A: It was a chilly winter’s day when I found myself in the heart of Balochistan. As I walked through the village, I couldn’t help but notice the children wearing thin summer clothing, playing in the cold.

The sight of those little ones, with rosy cheeks and shivering with cold, moved me in a way I can’t describe. It was a stark reminder of the inequalities that exist in our world.

We were there to distribute winter clothes in Balochistan. I saw their faces light up with smiles as they received colorful warm coats and jackets. It was pure, simple joy.

Us: What would be your advice for the readers?

A: I would request everyone to play their part – big or small. You don’t have to donate to EPB or any other organization, if you don’t want to.

Just go out there. Help a soul, bring a smile to someone’s face, change a life in any way you can.

I know this world looks like a dark place when we start observing the less fortunate people around us. But as the Chinese (I think?) proverb goes, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”

Every little drop of kindness matters.

Let’s try to make this world a better place.