Alipurduar, Dec. 30: A jhal muri seller who struggles to run his family of four, brought cheer to 40 homeless people who beg during the day and spend the chilly nights on railway platforms.

Gopal Goswami, who has been selling jhal muri (puffed rice mixed with spices) at Alipurduar Chowpathi for the past 15 years, distributed blankets and socks among 40 people today.

He collected few blankets, socks and some money from local shopkeepers and added Rs 8,000 from his own pocket to buy the items.

"I feel very happy today," is what Gopal said.

The resident of Pramodnagar, is a well-known face in the area and he is often seen talking to people who beg.

Every week, he would give money to few of them. He has been doing this for the past 10 years.

"Around 15 days ago, they told me how difficult it was to spend the nights on the platform during the winter. They told me around 40 people sleep like this everyday. They, mostly old women, requested me to arrange for some blankets. I felt very bad. I thought my family members sleep under blankets but these people do not have anything to cover themselves with at night," Gopal said.

In the past few days, Alipurduar has recorded a minimum temperature of around 10 Degrees Celsius. On December 23, the mercury had dipped to 8.3.

"I spoke to some shopkeepers in the Chowpathi area and some of my friends. They told me I would need at least Rs 15,000 to buy blankets for 40 people. I earn around Rs 5,000-6,000 a month and I have problems running my four-member family with that. I have to pay for my children's tuition as well," Gopal, 48, told Metro .

To add to his income, Gopal sells lottery tickets three-four days a week with which he earns around Rs 100 a day.

"Few of my friends laughed at me when I told them that I wanted to distribute blankets and socks among 40 people. But that made my resolve stronger," said Gopal.

He began collecting blankets, each worth Rs 250, and socks from local shops.

"Few people gave me money and I paid Rs 8,000 myself," he said.

Gopal said while many laughed at him, his wife, son who studies in a college and his school-going daughter gave him hope.

"The amount was too big for me. But my family encouraged me. They told me what I was doing was noble and I would have to do it. This afternoon, I distributed blankets and socks to 40 people. I feel very happy today."

Bimal Poddar, who came to collect the items on a wheelchair, said: "I used to tell Gopal please arrange for some blankets for people like us. I have asked many others too. But nobody bothered. Gopal thought of us. May God bless him."