As a severe winter cold tightens its grip on Assam, the National Service Scheme (NSS) units of Dibrugarh University have launched a vital initiative to support the region's most vulnerable. With temperatures hitting a season-low of 7.8°C, the volunteers organized a cloth donation drive for tea garden communities, providing essential warmth during the persistent chill.
Biting Cold Grips Dibrugarh, Community Steps In
The humanitarian drive was conducted on Tuesday at the Barbaruah Tea Estate. It was organized jointly by the NSS post graduate unit and the NSS Cell of the university. The initiative aimed to mitigate the hardships faced by tea garden workers, a community particularly exposed to the elements. Nearly 200 workers and their family members received sweaters, shawls, blankets, and jackets.
This intervention comes at a critical time. Meteorological data reveals that Dibrugarh recorded its coldest night of the year on December 14, with the mercury plunging to 7.8°C. The cold spell has been relentless, with night temperatures staying below 9°C for over a week. Readings included 8.3°C on Dec 15, 7.9°C on Dec 13, and 8.6°C on Dec 12, marking an unusually harsh winter period.
Addressing the Plight of the Vulnerable Workforce
Tea garden workers, who form the backbone of Assam's economy, often grapple with socio-economic challenges that leave them ill-equipped for extreme weather. Spending long hours outdoors, they are highly susceptible to cold-related health issues. The recent cold wave has significantly disrupted their daily lives and well-being.
Jitu Bora, the programme officer of the NSS PG unit, highlighted the urgency behind their action. "We recognised the urgent need to reach out to our tea garden workers, who are among the most vulnerable during this severe cold spell. The distribution of warm clothes is our small contribution to help them cope with these challenging weather conditions," Bora stated.
Echoing the sentiment of service, Himadri Barman, assistant programme coordinator of the NSS cell, said, "This is what NSS stands for – serving the community when they need us most. The cold wave has affected the daily lives of tea garden families, and we hope these warm clothes will provide some comfort and protection."
Community Response and Future Outlook
The donation drive was warmly welcomed by local residents, who expressed gratitude for the timely support. With weather forecasts indicating that cold conditions will continue across upper Assam, such community-driven efforts are proving to be indispensable.
As winter intensifies across northeastern India, the action taken by Dibrugarh University's NSS volunteers sets a precedent. It underscores the vital role educational institutions and their students can play in supporting at-risk populations during climatic adversities. Similar initiatives are expected to be crucial in the coming weeks to safeguard the health and dignity of thousands of tea garden workers and other economically disadvantaged groups facing the bitter cold.
