Seva selfless service: Exploring Sikh community's legacy of seva!

'Sarbat da Bhala' means the welfare of all, embodying selfless service and fostering kindness within the community. Whether in scenes of disaster, hurricanes, riots, or any other calamity, the Sikh community always takes the first step in voluntarily helping and rescuing people. Studies have shown that serving selflessly leads to inner peace, self-satisfaction, happiness, and mental relaxation. Why, then, does the Sikh community celebrate kindness?

From the Paris terror attacks to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, from the farmers' marches in India to the protests in America against George Floyd's execution, members of this 30 million-people global network have consistently practised supporting total strangers in their hour of need.

Volunteers from Khalsa Aid provided medical aid, food, water, and shelter to around 370,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, fearing persecution.

Instead of the usual worshippers at the gurdwaras in Delhi, there were 20 volunteers ready to provide free oxygen to the dozens of people who needed it. Devender Singh, an 18-year-old volunteer at the Sikh temple, moved quickly, keeping an eye on the people who needed urgent help and checking their oxygen levels himself.

On July 26, 2005, an unforgettable event struck India's financial capital. When nobody was allowed to step out of their houses, various NGOs and Sikh volunteers initiated efforts to rescue the citizens of Mumbai.

From feeding thousands of unknown people through langars to providing medical aid during the pandemic, prominent Sikh individuals have made significant contributions to community service. Baba Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is known for his teachings of equality, social justice, and Seva selfless service. He preached to his followers that doing good and serving people is as important as prayers, as serving people leads to serving God and seeking His blessings in terms of self-satisfaction and mental peace. Seva Bhav is said to be the 'Parmo Dharam,' which is the 'supreme duty' and serving living beings without asking anything in return is 'ultimate righteousness.'

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi

A Sikh temple of worship, or gurdwara, in Maharashtra, western India, served two million people in ten weeks last year. Additionally, several Indian gurdwaras melted the gold they had accumulated over the previous 50 years to build hospitals and medical colleges. While India grappled with its deadly second wave of coronavirus, Sikh NGOs set up "oxygen langars" (communal kitchens in the gurdwaras) serving free oxygen to people. Not only oxygen Langars but also the preparation of food was done round the clock during the pandemic the staff used to work in the heat for 16 to 18 hours a day. 

 Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) 

Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, also known as Yogi Bhajan, founded the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) and introduced Kundalini yoga to the West, emphasizing service and humanitarian values. These individuals, among others, have left a lasting legacy of selfless service and compassion within the Sikh community and beyond.

SIKHAID

SIKHAID actively promotes humanitarian principles, learning, and accountability, and supports innovative approaches. Established in 2020, Cuttack India. The organisation promises to provide food, water, medical help and education to the underprivileged, marginalized, and economically deprived people. 

They follow three main pillars of teachings of Guru Nanak's Devji which says 

"Kirat Karni"- Earn with Labour.

"Naam Japna"-Contemplate upon the name of God.

"Wand Ke Chakna"- Share before you eat.

Khalsa Aid International

Khalsa Aid is an international NGO to provide humanitarian aid in disaster areas and civil conflict zones around the world. The organisation is based upon the Sikh principle of “Recognise the whole human race as one”. The UK-based international non-profit humanitarian organization providing support to victims of natural and man-made disasters around the world. 

From providing medical aid, food, water, and shelter to Rohingya Muslim refugees relief work in the remote villages of Assam worst hit by floods in the northeast. 24-year-old Gurpreet Singh, from Patiala and 29-year-old Japneet Singh, from Ludhiana in Punjab were leading the Khalsa Aid International team in the Karimganj district along the India-Bangladesh border.

Baljinder Singh

A 60-year-old vegetable vendor Baljinder Singh has been serving the Muslim devotees on Fridays by doing seva (service) for the past 40 years in Amritsar, Punjab.

He winds up his work early every Friday and reaches the mosque before the devotees start arriving. He voluntarily arranges the shoes in jodas which are called pairs of footwear of Muslims cleans them and remains there till everyone leaves.

Hemkunt Foundation

Hemkunt Foundation was established in 2010 which provides Relief aid during disasters, healthcare and education to the poor and underprivileged, and environment protection and sustainability. It is based in Madhya Pradesh and spread over 25 acres and promises to be India's largest skill development centre.

It is a non-profit organization fighting inequity, poverty and disease through humanitarian aid, relief in case of disasters, healthcare support, education, and access to livelihoods for economically weaker sections of society.

During COVID-19 pandemic they provided Free Oxygen Support (concentrators and cylinders), Ambulance Service, RTPCR Testing, Cooked meals and Dry rations to the needy.