In the midst of a severe cold wave sweeping northern India, Raju Bhikhari, a man from Pathankot, Punjab, who survives by begging on the streets, has captured national attention by organising a self-funded drive to distribute around 500 warm blankets to homeless and underprivileged people in his city.
Raju collected small donations sometimes as little as ₹10 and used the proceeds to procure the blankets, demonstrating extraordinary empathy during one of the harshest winter spells in recent memory.
His effort delivers vital warmth to those exposed to freezing temperatures and has drawn widespread praise across social media, local communities and mainstream media, highlighting the contrast between his own hardships and his willingness to help others.
Earlier, his humanitarian work during the Covid-19 pandemic was mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Mann Ki Baat programme, underscoring the long-standing impact of his grassroots service.
Small Change, Big Impact
With temperatures plummeting across North India leaving rooftops, pavements and makeshift shelters brutally cold at night the plight of homeless and marginalised populations has intensified.
While government agencies and civil society groups have ramped up winter relief measures, it is the grassroots efforts like those of Raju Bhikhari that have resonated deeply with ordinary citizens and the media alike.
Raju, who has no permanent residence of his own and survives by begging on the streets, chose not to focus solely on his own survival during the cold wave.
Instead, he collected small donations in some cases just ₹10 at a time going door to door and seeking contributions from sympathetic residents.
With the funds he raised, Raju purchased around 500 woollen blankets and personally distributed them to those sleeping without shelter or struggling to stay warm, including elderly individuals, migrant workers, daily-wage labourers and families living in informal settlements.
Local witnesses described scenes of gratitude and relief: recipients wrapped themselves in blankets handed out by Raju and volunteers, while others expressed emotional thanks for not being forgotten amid winter’s harsh bite.
One homeless man told a reporter that the blanket he received might be “the only thing between him and frostbite tonight.” Such personal stories underscore how essential warmth is for physical survival and how impactful even a single blanket can be for someone on the margins.
Beyond just blankets, some reports note that Raju also arranged a simple tea langar for people waiting in the cold, providing hot tea and a brief moment of comfort that went beyond material necessity to human solidarity.
From Covid Relief to Recognition
Raju Bhikhari’s recent act of kindness did not come out of nowhere. This is a man who has, over the years, repeatedly stepped forward to help others despite facing his own adversities.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Raju organised food and essential supply distributions for struggling families in Pathankot, and his efforts were noteworthy enough to catch the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In one Mann Ki Baat episode, the prime minister praised Raju’s efforts, highlighting that “despite being handicapped, he doesn’t behave like one,” and underscored the value of community service in times of national crisis.
That recognition brought Raju into the spotlight, raising awareness about his work and inspiring others. Yet even after national acknowledgment, he remained grounded in his mission, continuing to work directly with vulnerable communities rather than pursuing publicity or institutional support.
According to multiple reports, he once converted a shelter given to him by the government into a resting place for other poor and homeless individuals a sign that his mission consistently prioritised others’ needs over his own.
In addition to his recent blanket distribution, Raju’s life story reflects resilience: orphaned at a young age, with no support from his siblings, he has navigated life’s hardships while finding motivation in faith and a sense of responsibility toward others.
His repeated emphasis on being “an instrument of God” who must serve those in need exemplifies how deeply personal and spiritual his commitment to service has become.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Raju’s story is more than a heart-warming headline it is a powerful reminder that compassion and humanity are not the exclusive preserve of the affluent or institutionally advantaged.
In an era when resources are often unevenly distributed and social support systems can be overwhelmed especially during extreme weather events the quiet acts of ordinary citizens become vital threads in the social fabric. Raju, who lives on society’s margins himself, chose to elevate the dignity of others before his own a lesson that challenges common assumptions about charity, privilege and civic responsibility.
While governments have obligations and mechanisms to deliver winter relief such as blanket distributions by municipal bodies, night shelters, and targeted welfare schemes the public’s participation in these causes strengthens social cohesion and ensures that no one is overlooked.
Raju’s initiative dovetails with broader winter relief efforts seen elsewhere for example, blanket drives by local NGOs and authorities but stands out for its symbolic resonance: it shows that compassion can flourish even in the most constrained circumstances.
