Ranchi district administration along with other civil society groups have joined hands to offer warmth to hundreds of underprivileged and homeless across the district this winter by rolling out a unique campaign titled — #RanchiCares - Mission One Million Smiles — an initiative under which 10 lakh warm clothes will be distributed among the needy.

Although such distribution drives are usually held by individual social organizations every year during winter and by the administration as well, this move becomes more significant this year amid the raging pandemic because of its sheer size of the distribution target by bringing different groups on a single platform to crowd-source relief materials, said officials.

Ranchi deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan on Thursday night formally kicked off the drive at a low-ceremony from his office appealing citizens to donate discarded/unused winter wears, blankets, and the likes at earmarked donation points to be part of the mission.

“The troubled times are also an opportunity for everyone, cutting across caste and creed to join hands to tide over the crisis. While the world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic, it has also led to lots of sufferings globally. Ranchi district administration is working on various ways to act as facilitators for those who need a helping hand. This initiative is an addition in that direction,” said Ranjan.

Additional collector Sanjay Kumar said that several points have been set up across the district to collect donations (winter utilities) from the public. “We have already started receiving collections from the public through our partner organisations. From Friday, distribution will begin,” he said.

Atul Agarwal, Convenor of Doranda Old Xaverians (alumni of St Xavier’s school), a partner outfit for this mission, told reporters that around two dozen collection points have been established across retail and business establishments in the city. Some of the collection points included outlets of Spykar (Sujata chowk), Spring City Mall (Hinoo), Firstcry (Kanke and Lalpur), Firayalal Next (Argora), Hill View Hospital (Bariatu) among others.

Agarwal also said that the initial response has been encouraging as even before the formal kick-start of the distribution drive, they had received around 3,000 collections of winter wears from individuals and groups.

“Every item received are being duly cleaned and sanitised keeping the Covid-19 protocols in mind before distributing,” he said, adding that the distribution drives will be held through block offices in the district. “Rather than holding random distribution camps, the plan is to set up camps at block offices in Ranchi or at points determined by the block development officers (BDOs) as they happen to be the first contact for the public at block levels and are aware of the needy. Both collection and distribution will continue simultaneously,” he said.