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Sikh volunteers lend a helping hand to flood-ravaged people in Australia
When the fierce calamity left the people in the lurch, members of the Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA), a non-profit organisation founded by NRIs settled in various Australian cities, including Melbourne, are camping in the flood-affected areas with food vans distributing hot meals to the people
AMRITSAR
Fondly being called “angels on earth”, members of the Sikh community are proving free food and other aid to people affected by floods in New South Wales (NSW) province of Australia.
When the fierce calamity left the people in the lurch, members of the Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA), a non-profit organisation founded by NRIs settled in various Australian cities, including Melbourne, are camping in the flood-affected areas with food vans distributing hot meals to the people.
The fierce floods that engulfed the area of northern rivers in the province overnight have not only caused massive destruction but also claimed precious lives. Still, a number of its residents are missing and the bodies are being found by local relief squads. The people who are alive have lost their businesses. Thousands of people have lost everything. In such a situation, many of the people don’t have food to eat. The houses and grocery stores were also submerged.
“We launched a food van service in 2017 to help the needy. Earlier, bushfires affected a large number of people here and we reached out to them to provide them food. We also delivered food to people in their houses during Covid-19 times. Now, the floods have uprooted thousands of people, especially in Lismore, and we are here to help them, following the Sikh principles that pray for Sarbat Da Bhala (wellbeing of all). The concept of langar makes us run a free community kitchen,” Lakhwinder Singh, one of the members of SVA, said.
“Though the local government is also offering food service, the problem is that people are not getting freshly cooked meals. Mud from houses and kitchens is yet to be removed. So, people are not able to cook on their own. So, our vans in different areas, especially at the evacuation centres, are providing freshly cooked food. Both youngsters and elderly men and women are doing sewa (service) in our kitchens and food vans,” he said, adding: “Not only the Punjabi community, but the local Australian people supporting our NGO financially for the common cause.”
Grateful to them, the Aussies are calling them “angels on earth” and a demand has also been raised for a government award to these volunteers, according to local media reports.
“After struggling for 13 years, I opened a double-story restaurant three years ago and a grocery store a year ago on loan, but the flood destroyed everything in one go. I have suffered a loss of around 3 to 4 lakh Australian dollars. The flood even damaged the building of both the outlets. My 13-year struggle and hard work was washed away in a few hours. Now, I have to begin my life from zero. I am thankful to the Sikh volunteers for supporting me in this hour of crisis,” said Satnam Singh Sonny, who originally belongs to Gopipur village of Kapurthala district of Punjab and is settled in Lismore, which was the epicentre of floods.
The Punjabi community has also assured him of help in every possible way to overcome his loss, said Santbir Singh, who along with his brother Jaspal Singh, travelled from Brisbane to Lismore to help the flood-affected people. “Serving the people in trouble is the biggest duty of a Sikh. So, I am here to fulfil my duty,” he added.
