IFS officer collecting woolens for people in relief camps Manipuri native rolls up sleeves to aid IDPs

Ludhiana, Nov 2
He hails from Manipur but is a Punjab cadre Indian Forest Service officer. Basanta Raj Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Department of Forests, Punjab, is busy coordinating with different NGOs of Punjab to send woolens to the displaced people in the relief camps of Manipur as winter is approaching.
Kumar said, “My parents and other relatives stay in Imphal but I have spent over two decades in Punjab in the Forest Department. You can call me a pakka Punjabi now. However, my heart goes out to the people living in relief camps in 11 districts of Manipur. It’s my native place and hence, I feel like reaching out to them to ease their pain a bit.”
Kumar said, “According to the data collected by me from the officials in Manipur, there are a total of 34 relief camps going on in Manipur as of now in which 56,176 displaced people from the tribal Christian and Hindu communities are staying. I am aware that the Government is making a lot of efforts, and even donors are helping out, but I, too, want to contribute my bit.
As winter approaches, I think there is a need for woolens in these relief camps. We are trying to collect them and the first lot will be sent soon in the coming days. More will be sent later on in the coming weeks as well and as per the donations.”
Kumar has coordinated with District Forest Officers who are further coordinating with the NGOs for the woolen collection. Kumar, who was born and brought up in Imphal, did BSc (honours) in Botany and Masters in Biochemistry and LLB as well from his home State before cracking the UPSC and getting into the Punjab cadre.
These days, he is posted in the Mohali office of the Forest Department. A wildlife photographer as well, Kumar had earlier sent basic medicines to Manipur after ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities rocked the State.
“The temporary relief camps are open sheds, schools and colleges. However, life in these relief camps is harsh and difficult. Hence, we appeal to people to help generously. Even the used clothes in good condition can also be donated. We need sweaters, jackets, socks, caps, thermals, blankets, quilts, etc.”
Maneet Dewan from City Needs, an organisation which coordinates with all NGOs of Ludhiana, said, “Last week, we got a message from the Forest Department that 100 blankets needed to be sent to Manipur. We posted this cause on our website and the same day, Harleen Kaur of Act Humane NGO of Ludhiana came forward to donate all the 100 blankets from her personal pocket. Blankets have reached us and we will dispatch them to a common place. If needed, NGOs can help out more as well in future.”
Kumar said, “This relief will be sent to my parents first of all, and further, they will coordinate with the local officers of Imphal to distribute them in Imphal to start with. Earlier, when we had sent medicines, they too were used in the medical camps being organised in the relief camps.”
In Imphal West, 31 relief camps have been put up in which 5,091 persons are living. In Imphal East, 5,763 people are living in 38 relief camps. Collection of relief material is from different districts of Punjab, and the exact stock will be compiled in a few days. The Indian Express