Helping hand for needy

Ninety students from three faculties of Jadavpur University (JU) joined hands to supply clothes and other items of daily use to pavement dwellers. The project that took off on July 5, was the initiative of the varsity’s National Service Scheme unit.

“Every year our students take part in community service programmes, but the response this year has been overwhelming,” said Bappa Mullick, director of youth welfare, JU. “Usually the strength of volunteers for such initiatives is around 50. This year, we have received such good response that we can’t accommodate any more,” he added.

The students have been divided into six groups. They work on Saturdays and Sundays every week. “On the first week, we went on a door-to-door campaign, informing prospective donors about our initiative. From the next week we began our collection,” said Samir Biswas, a student of sociology. Around 3,000 articles like clothes, water bottles, shoes, books, bags have already been collected.

The items were mostly donated by families in Central Road, opposite the university campus, Poddar Nagar off Prince Anwar Shah Road, Jodhpur Park, Dhakuria, the staff quarters on the JU campus and the students’ hostel.

The response was mixed. “Some were eager to help while others shut the door on our faces. At some housing complexes we were shooed away from the gate itself,” recalls Sukanya Tikadar, a student of English.

“We have another week of collections left. The articles will then be disinfected and distributed,” said Mullick. The areas earmarked for distribution are Garia, Moulali, Gariahat and the railway stations from Sonarpur to Sealdah.

Subhajoy Roy
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