SGPC steps up safety measures at Golden Temple kitchen

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 31

As a measure of safety of those involved in preparation of langar at the Golden Temple’s kitchen, iron bars have been put up on the opening of large “karahas” (cauldrons) used to cook food to avoid anyone from falling into it.

The move came close on the heels of an August 3 incident where a volunteer, Balbir Singh of Gurdaspur, died after accidently fallen into a “karaha” in which potatoes were being boiled. He had reportedly lost his balance due to sticky floor of the kitchen.

SGPC secretary Partap Singh said after the unfortunate incident, the executive body adopting certain safety measures. “Though it was a rare incident, safety of cooks and volunteers is paramount. As an immediate measure, we have placed specially designed removable iron bars which can be inserted in special slots over the cauldrons to cover it during the preparation of langar and ‘karah parshad’. We are also arranging identical covers for other gurdwaras where big size cauldrons are used for preparing langar,” he said.

The SGPC is also in the process of arranging special safety belts. “The belt would be tied around the waist of cooks in langar preparations on one side with its other side affixed to a solid base, be it an adjoining wall or a pole. This way the volunteers and cooks will stay protected in view of the sticky floor and won’t fall,” he said.