In a novel and rather aberrant initiative, Lucknow's 'Anokha Mall' is working towards uplifting the underprivileged and, in turn, making headlines. At this unique mall, those from economically weak sections can pick warm garbs and other winter gear at zero cost.

Here, clothes donated by people are displayed and can be collected by others, thus, aiding the deprived strata of the society. We find so many suffering due to the bone-chilling cold, so many sleeping on the side of roads, most of whom do not have proper warmers, for whom it is difficult to survive the night well because of lack of winter gear, and this 'mall', aims to help them out.

The concept of Anokha Mall, that has no strings or ulterior conditions attached, is turning numerous eye balls and is helping labourers, rickshaw pullers, slum-dwellers and others from economically weaker backgrounds.

The mall, located in Rahim Nagar, functions yearly for three months — December, January, and February — and has been doing so for a while. Clothes are garnered from the well-wishers and donors and put on display for anyone to walk in, choose, and take items of their choice. The things here include clothes, suitcases, sandals, school uniforms, blankets, and quilts.

A proper record is maintained, as per the owner, of both the donors and collectors so that no one takes undue advantage of the needy. And a staff of four people is deployed from 10 am to 6 pm every day to oversee the functioning of the mall.

Dr Ahmed Raza Khan, who operates the mall, stated, "Unlike other places and occasions when woollen clothes are distributed to the needy, the recipient is generally hesitant to accept them. However, at Anokha Mall, the person taking the woollen clothes can easily enter as if he or she is entering a shopping mall, see and check the clothes, and then take them as per his choice."

According to Khan, around 4,000 people collected clothes from this Anokha Mall in Lucknow last year alone and benefitted from the initiative.