A street food cart, SMILE Kettles Imphal, was formally launched today at Lamphel, Imphal West, by Keisam Pradipkumar, Chairperson of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR).
The initiative has been established under the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme is being implemented across 24 States and 181 selected cities to rescue, rehabilitate, and provide comprehensive protection and sustainable livelihood opportunities to individuals engaged in begging and other vulnerable occupations associated with vagrancy.
Speaking on the occasion, Keisam Pradipkumar emphasized the importance of handholding and supporting marginalized individuals so that they can rebuild their lives with dignity, self-reliance, and hope.
The programme was also attended by Pastor Royal Philips of Moyon Baptist Church, who offered prayers and blessed the couple for a prosperous and successful new beginning.
The SMILE Kettles Imphal food cart was handed over to Mr. Sapam Sunil and his wife, who were previously engaged in rag-picking at Khwairamband Bazar, Imphal West. Following their rescue, the couple underwent counselling and skill development training during their three-month stay at the Shelter Home, equipping them to begin a dignified livelihood through this enterprise.
Imphal West District, one of the cities selected under the SMILE Scheme, has been implementing the programme since September 2025, while the Shelter Home has been operational since April 2026.
The Social Upliftment Association is the implementing agency for the SMILE Scheme in Imphal West, with the Imphal West District Administration serving as the nodal agency.
