To serve people, he bridges gaps in development

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, February 13

Philanthropist and religious leader Labh Singh (Kila Anandgarh) today dedicated the sixth bridge built by his efforts with public participation at Burj village near here to people. After the inauguration of the 670-feet bridge, built at a cost of over Rs 7 crore, the distance between Anandpur Sahib and Nurpur Bedi has been reduced from 22 km to a just 7 km.

His efforts to provide easy connectivity to villages have earned him the sobriquet of “Pulanwala Baba”.

He has earlier built bridges at Chandpur Bela (near Kiratpur Sahib), Bela Ramgarh (near Nangal), Jindwari (between Nangal and Anandpur Sahib), Bella Patti Tej Singh near Bhalan village, all over the Sutlej. A bridge was built in Babban Dhani village of Fatehabad district of the neighbouring Haryana over the Ghaggar. Another bridge at Shahpur Bela near Kiratpur Sahib is under construction.

The new bridge in area has proved to be a boon to the area, especially Burj village which remains cut off from the rest of the region during the monsoon due to flash floods.

Earlier, a procession led by Panj Pyaras started from Kila Anandgarh reached the bridge. Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh was also present on the occasion.

Labh Singh has been following the footsteps of saint Sewa Singh who had been performing “kar seva” at various gurdwaras, temples and schools since 1934. After he expired in 1982, Bhag Singh and Labh Singh decided to continue the public welfare work. Bhag Singh died in 1987.