An unusually sharp and persistent drop in temperatures across Kolkata this winter has triggered a widespread humanitarian response from various non-profit organisations. Volunteers are working through the night to provide woollen garments and blankets to the city's vast homeless population, helping them survive the biting cold.
Legacy of Winter Sewa: A 25-Year Mission
Driven by the severe chill, volunteers from the IHA Foundation have been actively conducting their Winter Sewa initiative. The organisation's chairman, Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, emphasised that they are continuing a 25-year-old legacy of uninterrupted winter service. From mid-December, teams have scoured the city and its suburbs, visiting railway stations, bus termini, hospital corridors, pavements, and shelter homes.
"Our teams 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," Ahluwalia stated. He clarified that their outreach is not merely charity but an act of solidarity. This season, the foundation has already distributed a significant 8,897 blankets, surpassing the 3,857 blankets distributed by December 31 last year.
Community Drives and Rising Demand
Other groups have also mobilised quickly. The United Sympathetic Hands of Relief organisation initiated a collection drive for old or used winter garments, receiving a strong response from residents of gated communities and high-rises in areas like New Town and Rajarhat. Their secretary, Biswadeb Mukherjee, noted that this winter feels more chilling than recent years.
"We distributed 300 winter garments to needy people living around Ballygunge, Jadavpur, Dhakuria, and Baghajatin railway stations, as well as government hospital campuses," Mukherjee said. Similarly, the NGO FACES reported unprecedented demand. Its founder, Imran Zaki, mentioned receiving urgent pleas from areas like Baruipur, Sonarpur, Park Circus, and Beckbagan, with people fearing they might not survive the cold wave.
Aid Reaches City Fringes and Vulnerable Children
The relief efforts are extending beyond central Kolkata to the city's peripheries and even remote regions. FACES has historically focused on the city's fringes where temperatures are lower. Meanwhile, Anita Brooks, president of Our Association of Remedy, shared that with generous support, they have managed to distribute winter clothes and blankets to vulnerable children in the Sundarbans. Aid is also planned for children living on the platform at Majerhat station.
The collective action highlights a critical urban challenge during winter months, as homeless individuals seek refuge on railway platforms and within government hospital premises. The ongoing drives provide not just material warmth but a crucial lifeline during an exceptionally harsh season.
