If Mysuru has a number of poor people, it also has many people with plenty to spare.
To promote the concept of “donate what you don’t need and take what you need”, the Confederation of Indian Industries’ (CII) Young Indians has set up a ‘Wall of Kindness’, the first of its kind in Mysuru.
Ever since it was unveiled near the bus stop adjacent to the HP petrol bunk at Dasappa Circle on KRS Road (near J.K. Grounds) last week, several people have donated women’s wear, shirts, pants, sweaters, books and footwear, which have then been picked up by the needy.
“We would like to appeal to the donors to wash and iron the clothes they are donating as the items will be used by fellow human beings,” said Akshara Kumar, chairperson of the Mysuru chapter of Young Indians.
The initiative has not only received a good response from donors, but has also inspired a nearby tea vendor and a transport agent to ensure orderliness at the wall.
“I keep a watch to prevent any misuse and also fold the clothes and arrange other donated items,” said Gangadhar, the transport agent. Two youths, who were coming regularly and picking up the best of the donated clothes, ostensibly to sell them, were chased away by Mr. Gangadhar.
However, Ms. Kumar said most of the donated items have been picked up by those in need.
Keeping an eye
Mayor M.J. Ravi Kumar, who was present at the wall’s inauguration, has promised the organisers to get a CCTV camera installed at the spot. “We don’t want to see who is picking up the items, but we have to ensure that the items are not misused,” Ms. Kumar said.
The Wall of Kindness is open 24 hours a day.
Krishne Gowda, a man waiting for a bus on Monday, picked up a few books, including ones on meditation, from the Wall of Kindness. Mr. Gowda said he would not mind returning the books after reading them if it will be of use to others.
Young Indians chose the spot for setting up the wall as it is close to the city railway station, where a lot of poor people, including beggars and the homeless, are found. Though Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner G. Jagadeesha had given them permission only for one year, Young Indians plans to set up similar walls of kindness across the city — one for each ward if possible.
“We may require some funding for painting the wall and setting up the wooden racks and hangers, but we will find sponsors. It will help more people if such walls are spread across the city,” Ms. Kumar said.
It began with a WhatsApp text
It was a WhatsApp message received by a member of Mysuru chapter of CII’s Young Indians on a ‘Wall of Kindness’ in Hyderabad that sparked off a similar initiative in Mysuru.
“The message was shared by Nidhi Shah, one of our Young Indians members on our WhatsApp group of 60 members. The initiative received a lot of support from the members, so we decided to set up the wall in Mysuru,” said Ms. Kumar.
The Wall of Kindness, apparently, has its origins in Iran, where a large number of people came together to help the homeless and the destitute.
The initiative, which has been replicated in other countries, has found space in India as well, including Hyderabad and Chennai, said Ms. Kumar. In a few cities, government authorities are also playing a role in making the wall a success.
The Young Indians team in Mysuru is popularising the idea of Wall of Kindness by appealing to donors on platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
