The lockdown that has been around for almost three months now may have set us back?in ways but we also need to remember the good Samaritans who are ensuring that not everyone has a hard time.
One such person is Baba Karnail Singh Khaira who runs 'Guru ka langar' where one can cherish a meal absolutely free of cost. Known as Khaira Babaji, the 81-year-old functions on a remote Maharashtra highway where he is the only source of food for many truckers and other people crossing through on a stretch of 450 km.?
Anyone passing near Karanji on National Highway-7 makes it a point to make a pit stop at Baba Khaira's 'Guru ka langar' in order to get a free meal before heading on to a journey without any other dhaba or restaurant for hundreds of kilometres.?
While talking to IANS, Khaira Babaji said,?¡°This is a remote, tribal region. Behind us for nearly 150-km, and ahead for nearly 300 km, there¡¯s not a single dhaba or restaurant... So most people prefer to halt at ¡®Guru ka langar¡¯ and avail of our round-the-clock services".
The simple establishment has connection with the historic Gurudwara Bhagod Sahib, Wai where is located around 11 km away in a forested area -- a place frequently visited by Sikhs. It is the same spot where the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh resided in 1705 while on his way to Nanded which is 250 km away. He was assassinated on October 7, 1708 and 125 years later, it is now known as 'Gurudwara Takht Hazuri Sahib Sachkand' which is one of the Five Takhts in Sikhism.
Khaira Baba added,?¡°Since the Gurudwara Bhagod Sahib is away from the main road, in 1988 (32 years ago), this free ¡®langar¡¯ came up here as its branch. I was assigned to manage it with the blessings and guidance of Nanded Gurudwara Sahib¡¯s Baba Narinder Singhji and Baba Balwinder Singhji".
During the lockdown period, Khaira Baba's 'langar' has helped lakhs of stranded migrants, desperate travellers, truckers and villagers.
Khaira Baba said, ¡°We had hordes of people coming daily and we kept continuously cooking food for them... We welcomed all with smiles and folded hands, irrespective of caste, religion... My regular team of 17 ¡®sevaks¡¯, including 11 cooks and other helpers were overworked, but ensured a non-stop supply of fresh, piping hot food".
Khaira Baba's youngest brother lives in New Jersey, USA and has helped the establishment by managing to get generous donations from the American Sikh community to ensure 'Guru ka langar' stays functional during the tiresome lockdown period.
The 'langar' services include tea with bread or biscuits, and every meal consists of dal, a couple of aloo dishes. Along with the meals, Khaira Baba's place also provides people with soap and borewell water for bathing.?
Not just human beings but the place has reportedly also fed around 250 stray dogs, cats, cattle and other animals around the area.?In the past 10 weeks, Khaira Baba has managed to feed 15 lakh people which is excluding the five lakh people who took away parcels from the 'langar.'