Hands that cooked food now heal wounds

Anmol Nath Bali

Ludhiana, August 19

In light of rampant drug-abuse in the state, where almost every other youngster is painted as an addict, the non-governmental organisation (NGO) run by Gurpreet Singh has become a ray of hope. The NGO “Manukhta Di Sewa Sabh Tooh Vadi Sewa” (service of humanity is biggest service) is creating new precedents in the society.

Gurpreet Singh, who is a former dhabha owner, tilted towards philanthropy when Arun Kumar Shukla, the first infested and needy person he helped, came to his eatery for water in deplorable condition. That sight still lingers in Gurpreet’s mind- torn clothes, bones protruding out of his flesh because of hunger and body covered with mud and dirt. Gurpreet and his friends bathed and gave food to Shukla.

Gurpreet uploaded photographs and videos of his humanitarian deed on social media which garnered him support and hundreds of messages.

The NGO is located at the Baranhara village, Hambran Road, Ludhiana, and caters to some 113 infested people - 100 men and 13 women. Major contributors to the NGO are young volunteers who are encouraging and motivating their young ones to take this route instead of drugs.

Amongst numerous volunteers, Lokesh Bharadwaj and Amandeep Singh Kalsi are final year students of the Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib, and have been associated with the NGO from past one year.

The duo came in contact with the NGO through social media and after looking at the photos and videos posted by Gurpreet they decided to become a part of this noble cause. “Every weekend, we come here to help. This not only gives us spiritual satisfaction but also keeps us aloof from other prevalent vices in society, including drugs and alcoholism,” they said.

There is a false impression among the people that people from lower strata of the society are in need of help. The NGO is not only assisting downtrodden but also people from well-to-do families. One such example is of Prof Suraj Parkash Chawla, who had taught at the Panjab University, Chandigarh, for twenty-eight years in the Mathematics Department. After his retirement, he started living at the campus library. He was rescued by Gurpreet and his team after they came to know about him.

He was brought to Ludhiana and was given medical treatment. When asked as why a professor in his 80’s was living in the library, Gurpreet said, “It is because of some dissent between professor and his children.”

He also shared his experience related to a woman who met with an accident and was treated with utmost negligence which resulted in maggots breeding on her flesh. “When the NGO got to know about this victim, our volunteers went to rescue her but by the time help could reach her, victim’s hand was eaten by maggots,” said Gurpreet.

Hospitals, including the CMC and DMC, Ludhiana, are also helping and giving the NGO medical assistance. For financial assistance, there are 143 members who contribute a set percentage of their income every month which results in donation of upto Rs 6 lakh.

When asked if the NGO receives any help from the state government Gurpreet said, “These maggot-infested downtrodden people can’t have their voices heard by higher echelon of the society and government. Hence, they are forgotten souls for them. However, with strength given by god, my family and friends, I will work for humanity till my last breath.”

At present, the NGO has more than 2.8 lakh world-wide followers on facebook, mostly in the age bracket of 15-27 years. Using social media platform, Gurpreet has been able to 154 people with their family.