20 Indian cities to join “World’s Big Sleep Out” to raise money for homeless

NEW DELHI: Delhi will be among 50 cities participating in a world wide effort to raise funds for the homeless across the globe. The World’s Big Sleep Out (WBSO) will see participation of almost 50,000 people from these 50 cities in a bid to raise $50 million to help out the homeless ahead of the winter. Delhiites would camp out in Central park in Connaught Place on December 7 for the event. The sleep out is being organised by Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSS) and Jamghat, which is the Delhi Chapter of the society. The event has been backed up by the Delhi government along with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Delhi Commission for Women (DCW).

Indu Prakash, national coordinator for WBSO, shared a letter from Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi, wishing them success in their endeavour. He said that the idea was inspired by Scottish social entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn’s 2017 event, ‘Sleep in the Park’, held in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh on December 9, in which thousands of people took part to raise money and awareness about the plight of the homeless.

“We have been reaching out to schools, colleges and corporate sector to campaign for the event and make them aware of the problem of homelessness. Through a dedicated campaign, we hope to achieve the target of having at least 2,000 people attend the event,” Prakash said.

A total of 20 Indian cities including Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Indore, Patna and Lucknow will participate in the event. “While Oscar-winning actor Dame Helen will participate in the sleep out at London’s Trafalgar Square, Hollywood actor Will Smith will camp out at New York’s Times Square. The actors will read bedtime stories to others taking part in the event,” Prakash said.