Rising to its motto of bringing smiles on poor's face, the Smile Forever Foundation has distribited ration packets to about 600 slum families in the city here during the ongoing coronavirus-related lockdown period.

The city-based foundation has also been sensitising people in slums to remain safe from coronavirus by washing hands frequently and maintaining social distancing.

The foundation distributed dry food packets to people in slums Gopabandhu Palli Timber Colony, Malgodown, Baikunta ghat, Kalunga IDC and Lathikata.

Each ration packet contained 5 kg rice, 2 kg dal, ½ kg cooking oil, ½ kg salt and  turmeric powder.

The foundation has also launched a medical consultation facility to common man through telephone and Whatsapp. A group of volunteer doctors are providing consultation for common ailments as well as emergencies. The idea is to restrict unnecessarily hospital visits in times of lockdown.

On calls, paramedics move to door steps and check BP, pulse, SPO2, blood sugar of elderly people.

These activities the foundation are being carried out and monitored by its founder Santosh Biswal, advisor  Dr Archana  Barik (CMO, ESIC Model Hospital) and other volunteers.

The foundation's support has been hailed by different quarters, especially by beneficiaries.

"I am a daily wage earner. I am not going to work due to lockdown. These people have given me a ration packet which is very much useful in this critical hour.” said  Sankar Sahu,   a daily wager of IDC Kalunga slum.