Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, an organisation dedicated to the education, health, values, culture, traditions, self-reliance, and self-respect of tribal communities since 1952, has distributed blankets to tribal individuals across various districts of Odisha. In light of the increasing cold, the organisation prioritised providing blankets to the elderly, aged women, and those in need.
Vishwamitra Mahanta, the Joint Zonal Organising Secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, informed Organiser that the organisation has been consistently working towards the overall development of tribal people, focusing on education, health, cultural upliftment, and self-respect. This year, due to the severe cold, the decision was made to distribute blankets to protect vulnerable members of the tribal community. Following this decision, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram workers distributed blankets to elderly and helpless individuals in tribal families across the state.
In Mayurbhanj district, blankets were given to Lodha and Mankadia families, primitive tribal groups, in Shalabani under Khunta block and Champagarh village under Barasahi block. This distribution programme was led by State Organisation Secretary Krishna Chandra Bhati, Regional Organisation Secretary Ghanshyam Mahanti, and District Organisation Secretary Baishakhu Sardar, with the assistance of local volunteers.
Similarly, in Deogarh district, blankets were distributed to Munda tribal families in Kujharan under Riamal block and Satkhali village under Tileibani block. This initiative was spearheaded by organisation members Advocate Prabhas Mishra, Assistant Organisation Secretary Rampad Paida, Purushottam Sahu, Vasanti Ghata, and Chhavi Rani Sahu.
In Sambalpur district, blankets were provided to Gond tribal families living in the hilly areas of the Jamankira region. The distribution was carried out with the support of Dr. Kartik Pradhan, Krishna Chandra Bhoi, and local village leaders.
In Rayagada district, Dongria Kondh families in Patlama, Tuti, and Kanpur villages under Kashipur block received blankets through the collaboration of District Secretary Dr. Prakash Raut, Abhimanyu Mahanti, and Gauri Shankar Pidisika.
The blanket distribution programme was conducted through the joint efforts of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Odisha, and the Ramesh Chandra Memorial Charitable Trust.
