THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, Dec 5: Medininagar Municipal Corporation’s (MMC) Ashray Grih at the bus stand is an oasis of comfort for street sleepers and even for those who can’t afford to check in in a sub-facility hotel.
Night long stays here come free where are dry cleaned blanket, hand washed bed sheet, pillow and big of all mosquito net.
Rooms are well lit free of the odour of poverty. Rooms neither stink nor sting.
City Commissioner of MMC inspects Ashray Grih
On Wednesday evening there was an unexpected visitor, the City Commissioner of the MMC Md Jawed Hussain who with his team of officials namely city mission manager Satish Kumar and others descended this Ashray Grih to take stock of the things there.
The City Commissioner told the Jharkhand Story correspondent today, “I saw a visitor of Latehar there. The Latehar man said he would be spending the night here in the warmth of bed and room before pushing off this morning today.”
“I inquired about the quality of the blanket and if it was worth winter beating. I was told a fold of the blanket gives all the warmth at night. For the elderly whom cold bites more severely there are extra pieces of the blankets,” added Jawed known by his first name.
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Plans for a women’s Ashray Grih
There are 50 beds here. It’s for males only. Asked as to why women are not allowed here Jawed said, “We are very seriously mooting to have a similar Ashray Grih for women preferably near the Daltonganj railway station. It will be managed by a woman caretaker.”
“Again, this Ashray Grih for women will be accessible to husband and wife. You know what I mean to say. Its sanctity and safety of the residing female are our prime concern,” added the City Commissioner.
Told that MMC has no wherewithal to run and manage it the City Commissioner said, “We are using our resources. To have a cut in expenditures we will be asking our Safai Mitra to stay put there with spouse. It will help us to save money for other things to be provided here.”
Future plans for recreation and expansion
“We are planning to introduce indoor games here like ludo, chess, carrom board etc. If we can afford it, we will try to fix here TV set,” said the City Commissioner.
“Winter nights are longer. One wants some kind of recreation. And that recreational facility we are trying to give here,” added the City Commissioner.
Asked what is your catch line to which Jawed said, “It’s Home away from home. Our Ashray Grih is all decked up to give a feeling of homeliness. A personal touch is the trade mark of the Ashray Grih.”
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Hygiene and cleanliness start with the linen here. Blankets are dry cleaned. Bed sheets are changed every two days. Inmates are expected to keep Ashray Grih as clean as their home.
The MMC is planning to start two more Ashray Grihs. One is at the Sadik Manzil and the other MMC is exploring to have near the Daltonganj railway station.
RO water, inverter and room heaters
On asked if bonfire is to be there at the Ashray Grih when winter will be bone-chilling. From where will you get firewood? Jawed said the MMC would like to approach the forest department. Firewood would be bought by us as MMC will not go for freebies, the City Commissioner made it straight.
Ashray Grih has an RO water facility, inverter backup when power is gone and to beat cold entering your nose, has 10 room heaters reminded Jawed.
The MMC has an Enforcement Vehicle which takes a detour to the corporation limits looking for needy who want to sleep under the roof a night and such persons are picked up by the Enforcement Vehicle and dropped at the Ashray Grih, reminded Jawed.
