Cloth Bank: A noble initiative for needy

Mahesh Bhawarkar started a noble initiative called 'clothing bank', eight years ago in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara. The cloth-bank vehicle drives around collecting unwanted clothes from houses and then delivers them to those who are in need.

Chhindwara: Tattered clothes and shivering bodies- an ugly and heartbreaking picture of the underserved communities in India.

A huge portion of India's population still lacks basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, education and health facilities.

In a refreshing start, Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh has become home to a noble initiative called 'clothing bank'. A vehicle drives around collecting unwanted clothes from houses and then delivers them to those who are in need.

Mahesh Bhawarkar, a policeman conceptualised this work of charity 8 years ago.

"It would break my heart when I saw needy people and therefore I came up with the idea of clothing bank," Bhawarkar said.

The cloth-bank vehicle has phone numbers and addresses mentioned on it, through which people can call the responsible staff and deliver the garments they want to donate.

What is remarkable is the fact that the clothes are washed and ironed before being given to anyone.

Mahesh Bhawarkar told that the initiative is getting support from the public.

"People are supporting the initiative wholeheartedly and are bringing unused garments in bundles. It is time to embrace humanity and we are doing the little that we can," added Bhawarkar.