Padma Shri: Meet 85-Year-Old 'Langar Baba', Who Serves Free Food To Poor Patients Despite Battling Cancer

Jagdish Lal Ahuja, fondly known as ¡®Langar Baba¡¯ has been serving free food to hundreds of patients and attendants right outside PGIMER in Chandigarh. It has been more than two decades, that the 85-year-old ¡®Langar Baba¡¯ makes a daily trip to the hospital to feed those in need.

Ahuja has been suffering from cancer and yet, the illness did not deter him from being a good Samaritan.

He also provides patients other support, from financial assistance to blankets and clothes.

twitter

In an interview with The Indian Express, Ahuja said, ¡°I, along with my family, had come here from Peshawar in Pakistan at the time of Partition in 1947. My family came to Mansa and then, I shifted towards Ropar and the place, which is known as Chandigarh today. I merely had a few paisas in my pocket then. I even sold bananas sitting by the road at the old mandi in New Delhi. The idea to start langar outside PGI was my inner voice. I had faced poverty and starvation, and when I thought I am capable of feeding others, I decided to start langar service.¡±

He said he heard about the Padma Shri from media persons. ¡°I do not know who recommended my name and how it was accepted. I just want that the government should rebate me from income tax, so my family can continue the langar service after my death,¡± he told the newspaper.

twitter

A self-made crorepati, Ahuja had come to India empty handed during Partition. He sold off properties worth crores to fuel his mission, and continues to serve undeterred even by stomach cancer.

Another person to receive the Padma Shri is Dr Digambar Behera, who is with the Pulmonary Department at PGIMER. He was honoured with the fourth highest civilian award for his distinguished service in the field of medicine.

Dr Behera has held the post of Dean Research at PGIMER and has also served as director for the National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases in New Delhi.