Street food cart 'SMILE Kettles Imphal' launched to rehabilitate former rag-pickers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2026: A street food cart, "SMILE Kettles Imphal", was launched on Thursday at Lamphel, Imphal West, to provide a dignified livelihood to a couple rescued from rag-picking.

Keisam Pradipkumar, Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), formally inaugurated the cart.

The initiative is part of the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which targets rescue, rehabilitation, and livelihood support for individuals engaged in begging and vagrancy.

The scheme covers 24 States and 181 selected cities.

Speaking at the event, Pradipkumar stressed the need to handhold marginalised individuals so they can rebuild their lives with dignity and self-reliance.

Pastor Royal Philips of Moyon Baptist Church offered prayers and blessed the beneficiaries.

The cart was handed over to Sapam Sunil and his wife, who earlier collected rags at Khwairamband Bazar.

After rescue, they received counselling and skill training during a three-month stay at the Shelter Home.

Imphal West has implemented SMILE since September 2025, with the Shelter Home operational from April 2026 .

The Social Upliftment Association is the implementing agency, while the Imphal West District Administration is the nodal agency.

Officials said the launch marks a key step in social reintegration through sustainable livelihood.

Comment