Over 300 people are served free meals referred to as “Langar” as a quotidian routine at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara (Bandra-Khar), without any prejudice or judgement. “We do not question who the person is. Regardless of caste, religion, belief or non- belief, we give them food” says Pritam Singh, Vice President of the trust managing the sacred premise that is Mumbai’s oldest Gurudwara.
The Gurudwara was initially established in 1945 at Bazaar Road. Later, a new structure was built at Khar, under the same name.
‘The recognition of the whole human race as a unified being’ is the motto put forth by the member of the Gurudwara and the Sikh community. The service of Langar was begun in the practice of following the guidance of their leader Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the legacy has been carried forth over the past 550 years.
Volunteers who are known as ‘Sevadars’ (Those who devote their time to seva or service) prepare the meals along with serving them. They consist of a wide demographic of people, ranging from the youth right up to the senior citizens, giving instant personification to the motto of the Gurudwara.
For the birth anniversary of Sahib Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, on 2nd January, the Gurudwara served meals twice a day to somewhere in the vicinity of 1500 people, from all of castes and communities. Hardeep Singh, a professional Chef who volunteered to prepare meals for the occasion said, “I cannot express the feeling of serving and preparing meals for the Sangat, into words. We all join hands and serve people from diverse backgrounds, as a team and devote our heart and soul into it. It is genuinely a feeling near divinity.”
The Gurudwara is open at all times and its’ threshold welcomes members of all castes and communities. “Till date, we haven’t ever run out of resources or finances to serve free meals to the masses. Visitors and devotees, from far and wide grant donations with an open heart” as mentioned by Chief Advisor of the Sabha, MP Singh.
The volunteers do not serve people for any adscititious or ulterior motives, and with a mind emancipated from malice and bigotry, serve meals to people without as much as a glance at their attire or appearances. Everyone sits and eat meals in the company of myriads of divergent people without a second thought. This gives us a lot to ponder upon concerning the very essence of humanity and how it is often lost in this day and age.
Apart from this sacred device of Seva, the members also organise complimentary medical camps, health check-ups and advocate for awareness campaigns. The gurudwara also houses an ICSE curriculum school, which is the alma mater of around 900 students.
Rightly said in the words of The President of the committee Avtar Singh Sachdev, “We aim to serve people and strive to cater to their needs. We focus on tackling the issues of hunger and education to assist and support the community at large.”
This marvellous intersection of religion with humanitarianism is observed as a global phenomenon. In every nook and cranny of the world, Gurudwaras exist that serves free meals.
Anny Vivino Marianna, a senior citizen from Rome, is a living example of just how deeply the serenity and spirit of service touches the hearts of the multitudes. He thoroughly enjoys visiting gurudwaras in Rome. They are like saving graces for the penurious and needy and emanate an aura of placidity.
The world needs more such communities, wherein the barriers of caste, race, creed and gender amalgamate to for form something consecrated. The resplendence of such a school of thought is something we need to etch into our souls.
“He who regards all men as equals is religious.” – Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
