Singh Sabha Mumbai celebrated World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day by hailing the humanitarian work of thousands of good Samaritans who are providing food, groceries, medical care, sanitation facilities and succour to the hundreds upon thousands ailing from the storm of the COVID-19 pandemic and dedicating itself to continue the selfless service of humanity.

EVERY EPIDEMIC, DISASTER, WAR AND BATTLE IN HISTORY has put forth heroes and good Samaritans, who despite the dangers of the infection-ridden atmosphere, have responded to the call of humans in distress. It is their fearless approach which has applied the much-required balm to the suffering humanity.

The healing touch, the nursing of those inflicted of plague by the Eighth Master Guru Har Krishan Sahib, in Delhi, the nursing of the injured in war by Bhai Ghanaiya Ji, the humanitarian and medical treatment of Bhagat Puran Singh are examples from Sikh history which make every Sikh proud of their unmatched contribution.

Not only do Sikhs take pride in their Sarbat da Bhala-oriented selfless service -Sewa, they go all out to do as much as they can. Responding to the call for cooked food and rations in the present difficult times in Mumbai, the apex body of the Sikhs in Mumbai -Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Dadar Mumbai, with the untiring efforts of Sewadars -selfless volunteers, prepared and served many tonnes of cooked food, packed and delivered to the needy, migrant and other distressed peoples and communities.

On World Red Cross Day and Red Crescent Day, let us also remember the work of its founder Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828 and who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross and was the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.

Singh Sabha Mumbai embraces the good work of all humanitarian agencies, activists and volunteers across the world, who continue to show to the world that hope in God and humanity is not lost and we will come out of this once-in-a-lifetime crisis that we are in.

Today is also the time to proudly acknowledge and commend the work of all Sikh individuals and organisations worldwide who have risen to the call of duty -making and distributing food in hospitals, homes of the elderly, lockdown and quarantine shelters, on the streets to truckers and pedestrians, on railway platforms and bus stops, to the police and medical staff.  History will record this and the international community will take note of it.

The words of gratitude and admiration of the Sikh community by Prince Charles in the UK, saying, “In these challenging times, the Sikh community is making an extraordinary and invaluable contribution to the life of this country and to so many others just as it has always done,” are a tribute to the exemplary work Sikhs have done and are doing not in England but across the world.

“In these challenging times, the Sikh community is making an extraordinary and invaluable contribution to the life of this country and to so many others just as it has always done.”

Prince Charles

If renowned writer Ira Pande says that “she wants to be born as a Sikh in her next birth” and she exhorts the followers of other religions to adopt the tradition of Langar, it is glowing respect to the concept of Guru ka Langar and the Sikhs who continue to serve humanity, irrespective of caste, creed, colour and region, notwithstanding the difficult circumstances. Her appeal to the patrons and patriarchs of other religions must not be ignored.  Religious organisations worldwide have done substantially, but much more needs to be done.

Thinking ahead, let’s continue remembering,
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਸਫਲ ਹੈ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਰੇ ਚਿਤੁ ਲਾਇ ॥
Fruitful is service to the True Guru if one does so with a sincere mind.