Khalsa Aid Installs Foot Massagers For Elderly Farmers Who Are Protesting At Singhu Border
As the ongoing farmers' protests at the Delhi border are well into the third week, it is showing no signs of slowing down, but is only getting stronger every passing day as more and more are joining in.
But it is also taking a toll on the protesters, especially the elderly, who like others are sleeping in the open or in temporary shelters in the harsh Delhi winter.
Now, to help them, international NGO Khalsa Aid has set up a foot massage centre in makeshift spaces for the farmers who continue their protest.
"We are at Singhu border and we have taken initiative and set up a facility of foot massage for old farmers as they are protesting for a very long time and they must be tired," Amarpreet, managing director of Khalsa Aid India, told ANI.
The NGO has installed 25 machines and they plan to extend the services further.
Talking about other initiatives of the NGO, Amarpreet said, "We have set up 400-bed waterproof tent house and washrooms. Geysers have also been set up. "
A volunteer Tajinder Pal Singh said, "We have been providing langar from day 1 and have fulfilled the requirement of the farmers as we also focussed on essential items. We provided blankets and mattresses and for that 10 trucks have been used."
Talking about the response of the foot massage service which started today, he said, "The response of the foot massager service has been great and many people were in tears because they couldn't believe this kind of service could be availed here. Many people are tired of travel and it provides them relief."
According to footfall measured in the massagers, approximately 500 farmers used this service.
"We have travelled a long way and we are happy with the services which have been provided here," A farmer from Punjab, Channa Ram said.?
"This is a great service for us and this relief will help us get rejuvenated for the fight ahead," Sucha Singh, another farmer said.
According to their Facebook page, Khalsa Aid India has also opened stalls at the Singhu Border.
They said that they are providing aid to the farmers. The stall was also visited by the Punjab and Haryana Bar Council chairman and his delegation. A thousand blankets and 500 mattresses were handed over to Khalsa Aid India as well.
Khalsa Aid India has also set up a temporary shelter home for the farmers who were sleeping in uncomfortable spaces. The shelter home is under camera surveillance at all times. It has free WiFi and proper sanitisation measures are taken. The facility has a separate covered space for women to sleep peacefully. Along with cameras, guards are also present. Additional temporary washrooms are also being built beside the shelter home.
