NRIs donate Rs 25L for flood-hit farmers of Punjab's Baupur Mand area

NRIs settled in England have donated over Rs 25 lakh to support the flood-affected farmers of the Baupur Mand region. The funds are being used to provide diesel and other essential supplies to the farmers. NRI Mota Singh Sarai visited Baupur Mand today along with Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. Land-levelling work in the area is still underway.

Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal said on the night of August 10 and 11, a temporary embankment gave way, causing massive destruction in the region. Deep pits had formed in the fields, and thick layers of sand and silt were deposited. He added that the majority of the farmers whose land has now been levelled are small farmers, and wheat sowing has already begun on the fields that have been restored.

Praising the spirit of the farmers of the area, NRI Mota Singh Sarai said the people of Punjab never lose courage, no matter how severe the crisis. He noted that although the paddy crop in the entire Mand area was completely destroyed, the farmers remained determined. He said that Punjabi families abroad deeply felt the suffering of the affected farmers, their children and the women of the community, and contributed to the relief efforts to the best of their ability. He thanked the volunteers for ensuring that all relief materials — whether diesel, fertiliser or wheat seed — are being delivered to farmers with complete transparency.

Kulwinder Singh Sarai also expressed gratitude to the NRIs who sent donations for the flood victims. Major Singh, a farmer from Jania Chahal village who brought a laser-leveller machine, recalled that during the 2019 floods, a breach in the Sutlej river’s dhusi bandh near his home had caused severe damage. At that time too, Sant Seechewal, with the help of local people, had the 45-foot-deep crater in his field filled within a few days. He said he brought the laser leveller this time because he truly understands the pain of flood-affected farmers.