CISF jawan to start Assam's first food and clothes bank on Sunday

By: Syeda Ambia Zahan

GUWAHATI: Leading by example, a 32-year-old CISF jawan from Assam has decided to set up the state's first-ever food and clothes bank with his own money in Sivasagar district.


Biraj Hazarika, currently employed by ONGC in the district, is going to launch the bank in the heart of Nazira town on Sunday.

Hailing from Dalgaon in Darrang district, Hazarika had been donating food and clothes to the needy wherever he has served so far.

"I started donating food to people living on the streets when I was posted at The Taj Mahal in Agra. It slowly became a part of my daily routine in all the places I had served. I donated food and clothes to the poor in Kishtwar district of Jammu&Kashmir when I was posted in the 7th Reserve Battalion. I was loved much by the poor people for this reason," said Hazarika, who joined the CISF in 2010.

In fact, Agra was Hazarika's first place of posting. The CISF jawan came back to Assam in March, 2018.

Called " Roti aaru Kapur (clothes) Bank" with the punch line "Gareeb ka Dost" (friend of the poor), the place will have non-perishable food items like rice, lentils, oil, salt, sugar and clothes.

Second bank to come up in Jorhat: Biraj Hazarika

The bank will have a permanent office in Nazira and a vehicle will travel to nearby villages from time to time to donate items to the needy.

"As of now, I will buy the items as much as possible from my salary. I have been contacted by many people who are willing to donate. I hope more people will come forward to help once the bank becomes operational," added Hazarika. He said this bank can be a one-stop destination for dropping food and clothes, especially during floods.

Hazarika, who is planning to open branches in every district of Assam, said, "We will first inquire about a person, who wants to collect items from the bank, before handing over things to him. " He added that the second such bank will come up in Jorhat town.