AMRITSAR: The Sikh community has stepped forward to support migrants from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh celebrating Chhath Puja in the holy city of Amritsar, setting an example of communal harmony.
The Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale organisation has provided water tankers, while the local Kanda family has arranged a large temporary water pond for devotees at its own expense.
The main event of the four-day festival will take place on Sunday, when devotees observing the fast will offer prayers to the Sun God while standing in canals, ponds and other water bodies.
Keeping in view the shortage of water, the Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale organisation has deployed four water tankers and assured devotees that additional support would be provided if required.
Meanwhile, prominent social worker and entrepreneur Balbir Singh Kanda and the Neelam Kanda family have arranged a special pond near the Sultanwind canal at their own expense.
Balbir Singh Kanda and Neelam Kanda said Sikh Gurus had taught people to respect all religions and follow the message of “Manas ki jaat sabhai ekai pahichanbo” (recognise all humanity as one). They said festivals promoted mutual harmony and their initiative was inspired by this belief.
Ram Bhawan Goswami, general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar Kalyan Parishad, senior vice-president Sukhdev Pal and vice-president Santosh Singh Gandhi said the Kanda family had used JCB machines to construct a lake-like pond measuring 150 feet in length, 25 feet in width and seven feet in depth.
The pond was dug after clearing an unused plot and filled with clean water through a submersible pump. It can accommodate around 2,000 devotees performing rituals at the same time.
The council office-bearers thanked the Kanda family, Baba Bhuriwale and the wider Sikh and Punjabi community for their generosity and support.
