12 years on, daily langar service continues to feed patients at Phagwara Civil Hospital

Setting a benchmark in sustained community service, two social charitable organisations, namely the Guru Ramdas Ji Langar Sewa (Purhiran) and the Om Asha Charitable Trust, have completed 12 years of providing free meals to patients and their attendants at the civil hospital in Phagwara.

The langar, rooted in the Sikh principle of selfless service (sewa), is organised daily within the hospital premises. The initiative ensures that patients admitted for treatment and their family members do not face the added hardship of arranging and paying for food during medical emergencies. Over the years, the service has emerged as an essential support system for dozens of families from Phagwara and the surrounding rural areas who visit the hospital on a daily basis.

Guru Ramdas Ji Langar Sewa, led by sewadar Natha Singh, has been instrumental in sustaining the initiative. Along with fellow volunteers, Singh himself oversees the preparation and distribution of meals and ensures discipline, cleanliness and dignity in service. He said the organisation’s belief that serving the sick and needy is equivalent to serving humanity has guided their efforts for more over a decade.

The Om Asha Charitable Trust has been actively supporting the langar service at the hospital by managing logistics, arranging raw materials and coordinating volunteers. Members of the trust said their organisation works with the sole aim of helping people during times of distress, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, who struggle with daily expenses while caring for hospitalised family members.

The typically meal served at the langar includes roti, rice, dal and seasonal vegetables. Volunteers begin cooking early in the day and distribute food at fixed hours to ensure that patients and attendants receive timely meals. The service operates throughout the year and continues uninterrupted, regardless of weather conditions or festivals.

Organisers said the initiative is entirely supported by public donations and the personal contributions made by volunteers. They emphasised that transparency, regularity and collective participation have helped maintain the service for such a long period. Patients and their attendants expressed gratitude, saying that the langar provides not only nourishment but also emotional comfort during difficult times. Many hospital visitors have praised the organisations for their consistency and dedication, calling the service a lifeline for families under stress.

As rising healthcare costs put increasing pressure on households, the ongoing journey of the civil hospital langar stands as a reminder of how committed social organisations and selfless volunteers can make a lasting difference in the community.