Kolkata: With the unusual drop in mercury this winter, members of different organisations are assisting the homeless people by providing them with woollen garments and blankets so that they can ward off the biting cold and sleep at night. From pavements to railway stations, bus stops, and hospital campuses that see an influx of pavement dwellers at night, these drives are giving them some warm relief.
As part of Winter Sewa, volunteers from IHA Foundation distributed blankets among the needy, who were curled up on the pavements in the biting cold. Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, chairman of IHA Foundation, stated that they are continuing a 25-year-old legacy of uninterrupted Winter Sewa. IHA Foundation distributed around 8,897 blankets, while 3,857 blankets were distributed till Dec 31 last year.
From mid-Dec onwards, volunteers of the organisation moved around the city and suburbs, including stations, bus termini, hospital corridors, pavements, and shelter homes. They walk around the city at night, identifying the most vulnerable — many found wrapped in damp rags, cardboard sheets, or thin cloths soaked by winter dew, said Ahluwalia. "With blankets, shawls, woollen garments, and essential winter supplies, our teams lent a helping hand to people shivering under the open sky. Our winter outreach is not charity; rather, it is solidarity," he added.
Many homeless people took refuge on railway platforms and under shades on the premises of govt hospitals. Members of United Sympathetic Hands of Relief collected winter garments from residents of gated communities and distributed them to these homeless people at night.
Biswadeb Mukherjee, secretary of the organisation, said, "This time the winter is more chilling than what we experienced in the last few years. We came up with the idea of a collection drive for old or used winter garments that would be a blessing for many who have no shelter. Our collection drive is getting a good response from residents of high-rises in the New Town-Rajarhat area. We distributed 300 winter garments to the needy people living in Ballygunge, Jadavpur, Dhakuria, Baghajatin, among other railway stations and govt hospital campuses."
FACES distributed blankets and warm clothes in the past, especially in the city's fringes where the temperature is lower. They also reach out to pavement dwellers, giving them blankets, sweaters, and clothes. "But this time it is much more than a routine affair. We are getting demands from places like Baruipur, Sonarpur, Park Circus and Beckbagan. People are coming to us for more, even after we completed a particular pocket. They are saying they will die in the cold wave this year and we must help them," said Imran Zaki, founder of FACES.
"This year, with generous support, we managed to distribute winter clothes and blankets to vulnerable kids in the Sundarbans. Kids who live on the platform at Majerhat station will also get aid soon," Anita Brooks, president, Our Association of Remedy.