The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched an initiative to provide affordable clothes to low-income families ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, with temporary ‘NaMo Malls’ being set
up across districts. The initiative is part of the BJP’s nationwide ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, launched to mark 25 years of Narendra Modi’s public service — from becoming Gujarat Chief Minister to serving as the Prime Minister of India. The month-long campaign is being observed from September 17, Vishwakarma Puja, to October 17, with the BJP organising various service-oriented programmes across the country. In West Bengal, the party has now introduced the ‘NaMo Mall’ initiative, where people from economically weaker and low-income families can purchase clothes for just ₹10 ahead of Durga Puja.
WHAT IS A NAMO MALL?
The temporary NaMo Malls are being designed like regular shopping outlets, allowing customers to choose clothes according to their preferred colour and size.
Customers are being provided coupons and can select and inspect the clothes before purchasing them.
The temporary mall will operate for five days from October 8.
The initiative was launched initially in Panihati, with more such NaMo Malls expected to be opened in other districts of West Bengal ahead of Durga Puja.
The BJP says the initiative is aimed at bringing some relief to economically weaker families during the festive season.
Among those who visited the Panihati NaMo Mall was Bijay Patra, an elderly man who said he had been unable to buy a good sari for his wife for the past two years because of financial constraints. He purchased a sari for her for ₹10 and expressed his happiness at being able to do so ahead of Puja.
A rickshaw puller also visited the mall and purchased a sari for his ailing mother, saying he wanted to bring her some happiness despite her health condition.
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said more such NaMo Malls would be opened in other districts of West Bengal before Durga Puja.
