Sahara Sewa Samiti proves to be a boon for underprivileged

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, May 4

Around 18 years ago, a group of men came together to feed the poor in the district. Today during the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19, they have proved to be a boon for the underprivileged.

Most of us are senior citizens. Due to the lockdown, our several activities have been restricted. Now, our volunteers have been providing food to needy persons. Langar and food are also available at my factory for the poor and labourers. We have been providing food at ESI Hospital as well. Apart from this, we have been providing free medicines at our outlet in ESI Hospital. — Harbhajan Singh Gagneja, Head, Sahara Sewa Samiti

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Sahara Sewa Samiti, headed by industrialist Harbhajan Singh Gagneja, has been providing food to needy persons. Every day, members of the samiti send vehicles with food to various places, including ESI Hospital, Pingalwara, Guru Nanak Anath Ashram, Guru Nanak Mission Hospital, Shri Devi Talab Mandir, Unique Home and Pathankot bypass, on a daily basis. They have also reached out to labourers in other areas, including Sheetal Nagar and Mohalla Gobindgarh, for providing them ration.

Since the lockdown, the samiti has also distributed essential items, including 5-kg atta, rice, pulses, spices, salt and toothbrushes, among the needy. It also provides milk, dalia and fruits at ESI Hospital.

Gagneja said, “A majority of us are senior citizens. Due to the lockdown, our several activities have been restricted. Now, our volunteers have been providing food. Langar and food are also available at my factory for the poor and labourers. We have been providing food at ESI Hospital as well. Apart from this, we have been providing free medicines at our outlet in ESI Hospital.”

Besides, the members have also been performing the last rites of abandoned and unclaimed bodies. Having cremated 1,600 bodies with all customary rites since 2002, the samiti members cremated five bodies during the lockdown.

Three years ago, Sahara Sewa Samiti was also honoured by Being Human Foundation in Mumbai for serving humanity and the poor.

Earlier, samiti’s medicine outlet was at the Civil Hospital. After isolation wards were set up at the Civil Hospital, the shop was shifted to ESI Hospital.

Speaking about the plight of labourers, Gagneja said, “We receive calls from remote areas. At some places, 10 persons need food and somewhere they are 100. From April 1 to 7, we provided food and essential kits to many labourers. We continue to do so for the needy. The situation is bad for labourers, especially who don’t have IDs. They don’t get food at all.”