The big divide between the have and the have-nots becomes more apparent than ever when winter arrives in the northern part of the country. With winter comes biting cold, with temperature going down as low as 0-1 degree Celsius in some places.
While the privileged bring out their electric heaters, wrap themselves up in soft blankets, and sip piping hot tea or coffee while enjoying the chilly winter mornings or evenings, there are those less privileged who hunt for a shed to sleep in or a torn blanket to shield themselves from the cold.
The condition of the poor and destitute goes from bad to worse in the months of winter, which is why the Lucknow District Administration decided to help them this winter season by opening Kapda Banks in eight zones of the city. Indian Masterminds spoke to Mr Bipin Mishra, Additional District Magistrate of Lucknow, to find out more about these unique banks.
KAPDA BANK
The district administration of Lucknow, along with the Lucknow Municipal Corporation, has come up with a unique initiative to help the poor and destitute people this winter. As per the announcement by the District Magistrate of Lucknow, 8 zones in the city have been listed for setting up ‘Kapda Banks’, where people can donate woollen clothes and the management will then distribute them to the needy.
“The main objective behind starting this unique initiative is to ensure nobody has to go through the intense winter this season without proper warm clothing. The needy can collect clothes as per need from these offices, free of charge,” Mr Mishra told Indian Masterminds.
PROPER RECORDS
In order to keep a proper record of the people and the donated clothes, the officials present in the Kapda Banks keep a proper record of dates, names, mobile numbers, and addresses of the donors and receivers. They keep the details on display so that anyone who is in need of the clothes may simply reach any of the offices and pick clothes from there.
HOW TO DONATE
The administration has made the process of donation as simple as possible by providing different choices and leaving it to the people to choose how they wish to donate.
People can either directly come to the banks and donate clothes or they can get in touch with the authorities by contacting the team on toll-free numbers – 0522-2307770, 0522-2307783, 0522-2307782, 6389115001, 6389115002 or 6389115003.
“Swiggy, Zomato or Nagar Nigam employees will then collect these clothes right from the doorstep and deliver them to the bank. For those who can’t drop the clothes personally, there’s a provision to send the garments via courier as well,” stated Mr Mishra.
The postal addresses of various zones are listed below:
Zone 1: Lalbagh
Bhopal House, Zone 1, Trilokinath Marg, Near, Lalbagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001
Zone 2: Aishbagh
45/102, Water Works Rd, Old Labour Colony, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226004
Zone 3: Kapoorthala
24, Kapoorthala Road, Kapoorthla, Sector-A, Chandralok, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226024
Zone 4: Gomti Nagar
GKO, Amar Shaheed Path, Vineet Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226010
Zone 5: Alambagh
Kanpur Rd, Near Janta Inter College, Chander Nagar, Alambagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226005
Zone 6: Thakurganj
Near T B Hospital, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003
Zone 7: Indira Nagar
Behind Convection centre A block, Indra Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226016
Zone 8: Ashiyana
Bijnor Road, near railway crossing, Sector N-1 Ashiyana, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226012
SHELTER HOMES
The district administration has also set up several shelter homes by the name of ‘Rain Basera’ across the city. There are both temporary and permanent settlements where the needy can come and live for free.
“We have also arranged to provide people living in ‘Rain Baseras’ with fresh and hot meals at night. Initially, they were able to only live here for free. In order to eat, they had to go out for food, which naturally cost them money, or they had to sleep on an empty stomach. But now, we are going to provide them meals on time,” Mr Mishra said.
With such thoughtful initiatives, the Lucknow district administration has successfully managed to build a bridge between the privileged and the not-so-privileged, thereby facilitating a positive change in society.
