ART OF GIVING

“Tak laya jor paaniya da, hun main dar gaya tero ton, galti maaf kudrate ne, haadan rus na mere ton”(Seen the force of waters and now I am afraid, Forgive me nature, floodwaters don’t be annoyed with me).

The agonising lyrics of Kanwar Grewal sum up the devastating flood situation in Punjab, as celebrity singers walk the talk in offering help. On the forefront is Satinder Sartaj’s Foundation distributing relief material. Diljit Dosanjh has not only adopted severely affected villages in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, but the singer-actor, who wears his Punjabiyat on his sleeve, has made a fervent appeal for help to all Indians in Hindi.

Ammy Virk has taken up responsibility to build homes for 200 families. Karan Aujla has donated a boat and Babbu Maan and Ranjit Bawa have promised to donate earnings from their Canada tour. Guru Randhawa has set up relief camps at Dera Baba Nanak and Dharowali village.

Mika Singh’s NGO Divine Touch is on ground zero, doing whatever they can. On national television, he beseeched all Indians to stand by Punjab, “whose people are known for being the first in philanthropic endeavours and live by the dictum — vand chhako (share what you have)”.

What’s heartening is that their humanitarian efforts are not for seeking publicity. The pain as evident in Dosanjh’s words is genuine: “Punjab zakhmi hai par haara nahi.”

Actor Randeep Hooda has once again stood up for Punjab and joined relief efforts. Jasbir Jassi can’t even spare five minutes to talk, for he fears, “Many who are trying to connect with me for help in that precious window will lose contact with me.”

Folk singer Pammi Bai, who just visited a village near Ajnala with medicines, is shell-shocked by the havoc. He recites Guru Nanak’s verse, “Aiti maar payi kurlane tain ki dard na aaya” (So much destruction, don’t you feel any compassion, Almighty)”.

“We all are artistes of the people, by the people and for the people,” he says. While welcoming the efforts of artistes, he says the Central and state governments must announce a package immediately. “Those down and out will feel reassured only then.”

Actor Sonu Sood feels that every individual must do his or her bit. But, he is more concerned about the after-effects: “The livelihood of many families depends upon cattle, which they have lost in huge numbers. Providing at least one buffalo to the affected families is on my agenda and all Indians must contribute in this regard.”