10 Times Sikhs cared for the Society and set a great example | The Youth Special

There is no doubt that Sikhs make the headlines for all the right reasons. Whenever there is a problem, the real heroes emerge as saviours for the victims.

They have a community called ‘Sikh Community’, selflessly coming forward to help the people who are affected by cyclones, floods etc. This sums up the essential Sikh community for you!

Then there is a Sikh Charity which provides food to hungry and homeless people

They are well known for their humanitarian work for refugees all over the world. They have also joined hands to support flood-hit victims.

With active Volunteers from the National Government Organisation, they set up a community kitchen in several parts of the world in order to provide food to the sufferers. They are intensely working to expand this selfless work.

One of the best examples was that Gurdwara Sahib members and Khalsa Aid volunteers cooked and served hot meals to Kerala flood-hit victims when the entire state faced a terrible experience due to heavy downpour.

We have also seen them taking one step ahead by donating a kidney to their friends to bridge the communal gap and no wonder why they are good people.

A recent study by BBC reveals that Sikhs are the most generous people in the world. The study goes on to prove that religion can make people much more generous in their day-to-day lives.

Research commissioned by the BBC came to know that people who claim to have a religious belief are significantly more likely to give to charity than non-believers.

It has been learnt that both Sikhs and Jews emerged as the most likely to share their ‘worldly goods with a noble cause’ who are cut above the rest of other religions in the world.

The study also carried out for the BBC’s network of local radio stations where it found that levels of generosity across the British public are increasingly high but highest among those with religious faith.

There have been several instances where Sikhs cared for society and set a great example. Let’s take a look at them:

Amid Coronavirus, Sikh Community helps elderly people by offering them free food

The whole world is in a state of shock after the novel coronavirus pandemic impacted lakhs of people’s lives. So far, more than 9,000 people have passed away linked to coronavirus and more than two lakh people were affected by the virus infection. Thankfully, around 90,000 people have recovered from the deadly outbreak.

It has been learnt that the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of at least 3,158 people in China alone and 4,325 worldwide, as per the experts.

Even as China is finding it tough to bring widespread infectious disease under control, several countries across the world are reporting cases of coronavirus.

People lost their loved ones to the deadly disease which originated in Wuhan, China.

Meanwhile, the Sikh community in the UK decided to assist the elderly people with free highly nutritious food and are delivering it to their houses in order to help others combat the deadly outbreak.

A man by the name of Harjinder Singh Kukreja recently took to his Twitter handle to announce that Sikhs in Slough, Berkshire, have come up with ‘Mobile Food Support’ for elderly people aged 65-years and above and will be delivering nutritious food to them.

Speaking to News18, Harjinder said: “Sikhs have been at the forefront of philanthropic work throughout the world. The community ongoingly delves into social causes which make a mammoth difference.”

When Australia fought the unprecedented bushfire crisis which is one of the worst wildfires in decades, it was the Sikh community that rose to the occasion to contribute to rescue operations.

Besides the initiative in the UK, Sikhs in Australia also are helping people in the need of the hour who are caught in self-isolation. As per Mail Online, the volunteers will be delivering free food to self-isolated people located in Melbourne’s south-east for the next two weeks.

One of the charity’s founders identified as Jaswinder Singh added that they were expecting as many as 300 orders for their first round of deliveries tonight.

“Some of those ordering are sick or disabled and we have had a few messages from people who are stressed and have quarantined themselves,” Mr Singh told Mail Online.

Harjinder Singh observed that the service provided vegetarian food and that customers could decide whatever they need from the menu on our Facebook page.

Sikhs hit the headlines for all the right reasons. Whenever there is a problem, the real heroes emerge as saviours for the victims. They have a community called ‘Sikh Community’, selflessly coming forward to help the people who are affected by cyclones, floods etc.

Then there is a Sikh Charity which provides food to hungry and homeless people. They are well known for their humanitarian work for refugees all over the world. They have also joined hands to support flood-hit victims.

With active Volunteers from the National Government Organisation, they set up a community kitchen in several parts of the world in order to provide food to the sufferers. They are intensely working to expand this selfless work.

Sikh woman cancels India trip to cook 1,000 meals for Bushfire Victims

The devastating bushfires in Australia have burnt more than five million hectares, damaging 1,400 homes and killing nearly half a billion animals. To help the distressed victims in the need of the hour, a Sikh woman cancelled her first trip to India in 10 years and stayed back only to cook meals for them.

Sukhwinder Kaur, 35, from Melbourne had scheduled a trip back to her home town in order to visit her sister who is in a coma after she suffered a stroke.

Nonetheless, she changed her mind and decided to stay in Australia to cook more than 1,000 meals per day for families who have been forced to flee homes after fires ravaged East Gippsland.

As per a report in Daily Mail, Kaur has been camping at Bairnsdale Oval since New Year’s Eve to give a hand to the community who she now treats them like her own ‘family’.

“I realised my first duty is towards the community here where I have lived for so long. If I had left the people here during such a difficult time, I don’t think I could call myself a good human being,” she told SBS Punjabi.

“This is my family too and I have a responsibility towards it. I just can’t go while my family is suffering.

“Initially, we had up to a hundred people coming to our food van but in the last three-four days, there are many more people who have been evacuated from their homes are coming to have a meal. So, these days, we are preparing up to a thousand meals every day,” she said.

The kitchen team consists of four people. Her room is right next to the kitchen where she sleeps.

“I wanted to go to India to see my elder sister who is in a coma after she had a stroke. But then this happened and I realised my first duty is towards the community here where I have lived for so long. If I had left the people here during such a difficult time, I don’t think I could call myself a good human being,” she said.

Indian Army, US Army Personnel Served ‘Langar’ By Sikh Volunteers During Military Exercise

Indian and American Army soldiers who were taking part in Exercise-“Yudh Abhyas” in America were served langar prepared by local Sikh volunteers.

“Sharing of cultural values create timeless affinities. Indian Army & US Army Soldiers were served langar prepared by local Sikh volunteers.

It was hosted at the Raptor facility on JBLM. The group has been part of the last three iterations in the US, providing traditional langar,” the Indian Army had mentioned a tweet on September 10.

“Guru ka Langar” was organised by the Sikh community to welcome the Indian contingent at Raptor dining facility on Joint Base Lewis – McChord.

This is the third year when it has been conducted. The overall strength of the Sikh community in Washington is around 4000. The langar included traditional food- roti, Sabji and Kheer both Indian and US army were all invited.

The US contingent itself has 9 Indian origin personnel.

The 15th edition of ‘Yudh Abhyas’, which is hosted alternately between the 2 nations.

For the unversed, fourteenth edition of the exercise- Yudh Abhyas 2018, was hosted by India in Uttarakhand.

(With ANI inputs)

Sikhs come to rescue, help 32 Kashmiri girls reach homes safely

It was a productive educational tour of 32 Kashmiri girls, who had come to Pune for training purpose in a nursing course and placement under Skill India. But little did those girls knew that the effective tour would turn out to be a nightmare.

Just five days of their arrival, the situation changed drastically in their hometown as the central government scrapped Article 370 after which all means of communication- internet and phone services were suspended in order to avert unwanted incidents of ‘stone-pelting and other types of violence’.

These girls had unfortunately lost contact with their family members and relatives as well. As the days passed by, they became more mentally disturbed as returning their home was not an easy one. Meanwhile, a Delhi-based Sikh activist, at the need of the hour, stepped forward as a saviour for these frightened girls.

Harminder Singh Ahluwalia uploaded a video on his Facebook page on August 5 adding that if there was any Kashmiri man or woman in distress, they could approach the nearest gurudwara for food and shelter or could contact him for assistance.

“The girls had come out of the state for the first time and were quite scared after restrictions were clamped on Kashmir and the derogatory messages against young women posted on social media. Memories of assault on some Kashmiri students post Pulwama attack had also created panic.

Looking at the rising apprehensions on the issue, I posted a video message on my Facebook page on August 5 that if there was any Kashmiri man or woman in distress, they could go to the nearest gurdwara for stay and food or could go to the nearest gurdwara for stay and food or could contact me,” said Harminder Singh Ahluwalia.

He received a call from girls’ supervisor Rukaya Kirmani for assistance. Ahluwalia along with his friends Harmeet Singh Khanpuri and Baljeet Singh Babbu arranged some money and booked air tickets including other travel expenses.

“Entire money was donated by Sikhs from different places while one Kashmiri student contributed Rs 200. The total expenditure on air ticket was around Rs. 3.20 lakh”, he told. The girls were then flown to the national capital on Friday morning and then to Srinagar.

The 32 girls were safely escorted by Ahluwalia, Harmeet Singh Khanpuri, Baljeet Singh Babbu, supervisor Rukaya and her colleague Sambhav Kumar Sharma. After arriving at Srinagar airport, Army officers assisted them and provided cars to transport the girls to their homes in various parts of Kashmir.

“While the girls stayed at the house of a girl at Srinagar we stayed at Army Guest House. Army officials extended full cooperation and provided their vehicles to transport the girls to their homes. We took every girl to her home,” he said.

Sikh Cop feeds disabled boy with his own hands, touches everyone’s soul

Jammu and Kashmir cop won people’s hearts when he fed a disabled boy with his own hands. This goes to show that humanity still exists on Earth. In a world where people are turning out to be jealous, fighting and blaming for no reasons at all, this traffic cop has taught the people a very big lesson of humanity.

The million-dollar video which went viral on all social media platforms has the caption saying, ‘an act that emanates only love.’ Yes, Sikhs always stand with humanity.

This is how some reacted to the video on Facebook:

‘The jawan making the child to eat food out of his own lunch box is a landmark step toward Community policing. The organisation need to take a lead from this gesture,” one guy wrote.

‘There is a need to have a paradigm shift in policing and this is a step in that direction,’ the user wrote.

The Youth salutes traffic policeman for his good act and this society needs more humanitarians like you!

Sikh Community offers free food to Odisha cyclone victims

When Odisha faced a terrible experience due to Cyclone Fani, the state saw real heroes emerge as saviours for the victims, thanks to Sikh community once again!

At the need of an hour, the selfless people came forward to help those affected by Cyclone Fani.

Khalsa Aid International, a UK-based non-profit aid and relief organization, well known for their humanitarian work helped the people during a tough situation.

With help from local gurudwaras, the volunteers organised langar and are providing free food to people in Puri, Odisha.

Khalsa Aid always hit the headlines for all the right reasons and this time, they got a massive appreciation for their work on social media.

Sikh Community steps forward to support victims of New Zealand Mosque Shootings

In what was considered as the worst-ever mass shootings in New Zealand’s history, as many as 52 people lost their lives and 20 others were injured in two mosques in central Christchurch on Friday. Celebrities and people from other parts of the world condemned the attack.

The Sikh community that makes the headlines for all the right reasons once again came forward to do their bit to assist the families of the shooting victims in New Zealand. The Guru Nanak Free Kitchen in Auckland, an NGO highly-involved in several human services appealed to their community members to help those in a tough situation.

Reacting to an appeal by a Muslim representative, the GNFK in a Facebook post urged the volunteers to step forward to help the Muslim community in Christchurch with washing bodies, transportation of families and bodies to the graveyard, digging graves and provide food for the people attending funerals.

The group also thanked everlasting support they received and said that “Our various communities and groups truly embody the compassion and love that will need to prevail to heal the wounds of yesterday’s attacks.”

As per their Facebook page, the Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen started in April 2017 when a group of individuals gathered together and then wanted to help the hungry stomachs in Auckland.

Sikh girl donates her kidney to save her Muslim friend’s life, bridges Communal Gap

In what was a heart-touching story, a Sikh girl from Jammu by the name of Manjot Singh Kohli, 23, saved her friend’s life by donating her kidney to Samreen who is suffering from a kidney ailment. The latter’s life was in danger and she badly required a kidney transplant to survive.

It is a great example when one comes forward to donate a kidney and save the life of a colleague. Thanks to Manjot Singh Kohli! You won our hearts! Manjot agreed to donate her kidney to Samreen despite her family having reservations about it.

Nonetheless, despite having done with all the formalities, the authorisation committee has still not finished the case “since the father of the donor has made a representation cautioning against removing kidney of his daughter for the transplant”.

“We can’t blame them (family). They are emotionally attached to their kid. I cannot say they are wrong. From their point of view what they are doing is right. But I think rising above the emotions, we should do what God has sent us for. All the relations will stay here and saving life is most important. Plus I am a major and I can take decisions of my own,” Manjot told DNA.

Hailing from Jammu’s Udhampur, Manjot met Samreen four years ago and since then they had been friends. “Since I am a social activist and she used to participate in my activities and we became good friends.

Five months back, I read a Facebook status of our common friend about Samreen. I was confused about whether she is the same Samreen. Next day I took the flight to meet her,” Manjot Singh Kohli who also is the youngest women entrepreneur of the state and chairperson of an NGO ‘International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council’.

Samreen who is from Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar added that Manjot can any do anything for her. “For the last four months, she has not budged from her stand. She is the finest example of true friendship,” said Samreen, who skipped the master’s programme following her illness.

Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, Samreen’s father said “I am a simple tailor and have spent Rs 7-8 lakh for treatment. But her condition is deteriorating by the day. Even after Manjot offered the kidney and completed all the formalities, her father is not accepting. I have told her that family is her priority and she should back out,” he said.

Dr Farooq Jan, Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, added that the father of the donor asked the institute not to allow the girl to offer her kidney. It has been said that Manjot’s family was also against her decision, but Manjot is firm.

“I’m not scared of anything. My only concern is that humanity should not lose out. My family has got swayed by emotion… but I shall go ahead anyway,” Manjot told The Telegraph.

“My strong belief in humanity is motivating me, and you can see the communal harmony my decision is creating…. Had my family supported me, it would have made me very happy. But I’m an adult and nothing bars me legally from donating my kidney,” she said.

Sikh Charity Reaches Flood-Hit Kerala, Serves Food to Hungry & Homeless People

When almost entire Kerala faced a terrible experience due to heavy downpour and the flash flood, the whole nation stepped forward and took prime responsibility to help the neighbouring state by supplying whatever things they needed in tough times.

However, the state saw real heroes emerge as saviours for the victims. The selfless people, who, without even caring for their own life, sprung into action to give a helping hand to the sufferers. Sikh Charity community hit the headlines for all the right reasons. They once again won people’s hearts by providing food to hungry and homeless people in Kerala.

The UK based Sikh Charity called Khalsa Aid is well known for their humanitarian work for refugees all over the world have now joined hands to support the less unfortunate Kerala flood victims.

Active Volunteers from the National Government Organisation have set up a community kitchen in Kochi in order to provide food to the sufferers. They are intensely working with Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Kochi.

Gurdwara Sahib members and Khalsa Aid volunteers are busy cooking and serving hot meals to those flood-hit victims. Also, Khalsa Aid has started an international fundraiser for the Kerala flood victims which you can find below.

Meet 10-year-old boy- He donated his entire Rs 30,000 savings for poor patients’ treatment

A 10-year-old boy in Australia decided to give it back to less unfortunate people as he donated a sum of Rs 30,000 for the treatment of poor patients at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

Gurkiret Singh had been saving this pocket money for years and at the need of an hour, he donated his whole savings to poor patients’ treatment. Let’s take a moment and appreciate him.

Following the footprints of his grandmother, Gurkiret Singh, with a big heart has donated all his life savings of Rs 60 lakh for the welfare of poor and needy people.

Talking to Newsline, Harbajan Kaur said, “It is pleasing to see that my third generation is also carrying forward the teachings of Sikh gurus, who emphasised on the joy of giving.”

She also added that poor people need much-needed help and that we must come together to do the best for them.

In the last 4 months, the family came forward to donate a whopping amount of Rs 2,20,000 for poor patients’ treatment.

Gurkiret added that he had been saving money for ‘donation and helping the ones who come from economically backward sections of the society’. This goes to show that he is a good human being.

Kaur has donated roughly around Rs 22 Lakh for the treatment of 37 patients at PGI.