Even as the number of persons afflicted with coronavirus continues unabated in Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai and Coimbatore, the officials sit back and look skywards in the hope of a decrease in the spreading of the disease.
While the Tamil Nadu Government is struggling hard to feed the poor who have lost their livelihood because of the national lock down, there are organizations in Chennai city which ensure that the helpless and infirm are well fed. Leading the army of warriors who fight disease and hunger in the metropolis is Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha Gurudwara Saheb in T-Nagar, the main commercial center in Chennai.
The Gurudwara Saheb feeds more than 500 persons in the city through the office of Chennai Municipal Corporation. Thrice daily, a mini truck owned by the Corporation could be seen coming to the Gurudwara for collecting the delicacies and nutritious food prepared in the kitchen by experienced hands. The menu include rotti, chappathi, vegetable curries, fried rice and lassi. Since the closure of eateries in the city as part of the lock down, the Gurudwara has started cooking vegetable fried rice as well as sambar rice (staple food of Chennaites) to be served among the beneficiaries.
“We serve food free of cost for all those who come to the Gurudwara for prayers. There is no limit to the number of people who come here for worship and we offer langhar to all. Moreover we provide heavily subsidised accommodation for those who come to Chennai for medical treatment,” said Amandeep Singh Kandhari, president, T-Nagar Gurudwara Saheb.
Even as the priests read from the Guru Granth Saheb and Bhai Joginder Singh Ji Rair’s mellifluous voice resonates the atmosphere with “Wahe Guru Naam..”, the Gurudwara staff (all volunteers from the Sikh community in the metropolis) are busy serving food to the hundreds who have lined up in the dining room. Sardar Kandhari and Sardar Harbans Singh are ensuring that the diners maintain social distance specified by medical experts.
Prof Poojappura Krishnan Nair, literary icon from Kerala, stands with curious eyes watching the goings on in the Gurudwara. “This is the real service to God Almighty and humanity . Our scriptures mention that Annadaanam Mahaadaanam ( Offering of food to the needy is the biggest service). You get a divine feeling here because of Gurbani and the serving of food,” said Prof Nair who is of the view that there never can be an India without the turbaned Sikh community.
Sam Rajappa, veteran journalist , says that Gurudwara and Sikh community members were always in the forefront with their helping hands whenever Chennai or Tamil Nadu was struck by disasters. “I myself was rescued and rehabilitated by the Silkh community during the 2015 floods that devastated Chennai. I stayed at the Gurunanak College for almost a fortnight and the Gurudwra officials looked after us nicely. Ill never forget those days. We always pray that all districts in Tamil Nadu should have Gurudwaras,” said Sam.
Dr S Kalyanaraman, director, Saraswathi Research Centre, said that service and sacrifice are the hallmarks of the Sikh community. “They continue to do it generations after generations. The service they do to the society is unique and serene,” he said.
Sardar Kandhari and members of the Sikh community observed Baisakhi, the day Shree Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs laid the foundation of Panth Khalsa on Monday. “For us it is Thanksgiving Day -thanking God for the abundant harvest and also praying for future prosperity,” said Kandhari. “
“Let the Sikhs prosper so that they would guard us from all kinds of attacks, attacks from across the borders as well as invasion by species like corona virus,” said Prof Nair. The Aryan Sikhs helping the Dravidian Tamils! All one could tell about the goings on in Gurudwara Saheb is “Wahe Guru.. Wahe Guru..”