Since the lockdown was announced, thousands of migrants have taken on the arduous journey back to their native towns from different corners of the country. Many have been walking for miles together without food, water or properfootwear and the conditions are pitiable?to say the least.
In a bid to help some of these migrants braving the odds, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee has reportedly organised a philanthropic initiative they called 'langar on wheels' to feed all?those?looking for a decent meal.?
Even though the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed,lack of income and dwindling finances have pushed people into a state of deepdespair and distress. To ensure that no one sleeps on an empty stomach, estimatedfifteen thousand people living on the streets, railways stations,bus stands, rain shelters and pavements will be served food daily.
Committee President Manjinder Singh Sirsa told IANS that 15vans will leave Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, situated in the heart of the nationalcapital, in the wee hours of the day and serve food to people at various placesacross the city.
What is Langar on Wheels? Who all will be benefitted by it?Watch the video and share with all -
Posted by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on Monday, June 1, 2020
"They will be left in a lurch if proper food etc is notprovided to them," Manjinder Singh Sirsa added. He said that the vow wastaken after several NGOs and institutions, which were providing food to theneedy amid lockdown, withdrew their services.
The committee president added that although the initiative will stay for a month it may be extended from time-to-time till economicactivities are restored and disadvantaged people are able to sustainthemselves.
?????? ?? ??????: 15 new vehicles flagged off today from Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib to distribute Langar to the needy and helpless in different parts of Delhi
Posted by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on Monday, June 1, 2020
The committee will remain in touch with the Sikh leaders,government officials and resident welfare associations of the respective areasto gauge the demand of the food. He added that additional food will be rushedto any place if the demand escalates.
Vans with banners highlighting food and water arrangementsfor needy persons will also be stationed at different places like railwaystations and bus stands. Those in need will be served langar at a convenientplace with social distancing.
Harmeet Singh Kalka, General Secretary of the committee,said the decision to start 'langar on wheels' was taken as it was"impractical" for most poor people to find the nearest Gurdwara."Now, we have decided to go where the people are."
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had earlierlaunched a similar community kitchen initiative for migrant labourers at aroundten locations in the national capital region.?
Delhi's Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is also feeding many homeless people who have nowhere to go and no food to eat.
The?Gurudwara distributed over 40,000 cooked meals but, sadly that wasn't enough. They realised that they needed to prepare more meals and so they pushed it to 80,000 meals and then to 1,00,000, claim reports.