Curfewed yet caring': Sirsa feeds every empty stomach

SIRSA: Sushil Kandoi and his neighbours wake up around 4 am everyday to prepare breakfast for Army personnel, paramilitary forces, police and media persons, who are on the job near the Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters at Sirsa, popularly known as the "land of donors", in Haryana.

Throughout the day, a group of people on motorbikes, gypsy cars and tractors serves snacks, tea, lassi and food to security and Army personnel.

The Army is deployed in the vicinity of the Dera headquarters to maintain law and order in the nearby areas where curfew is in force since Thursday night.

There are around 120 social organisations engaged in social work in the Sirsa Assembly constituency, which has a population of around 2.5 lakh.

Sirsa has a history of giving. People have also constructed a long wall called "Neki ki diwar" on the Dabwali road where locals keep items they do not need so that the needy could use them.

Also, a "Roti Bank", which works on the principle of collecting food from contributors and distributing it among the poor, was launched here recently.

Kandoi, who is a supplier of mustard oil, said there are 40 people in his group who serve tea, snacks, lunch and dinner to security personnel and media persons.

"The people of Sirsa, popularly known as 'the land of donors' in Haryana, believe in serving humanity. Thus, we decided to serve Army, paramilitary forces, police personnel and media persons when the administration imposed curfew in the area," Kandoi said.

Another resident, Mahender Kumar, said the residents come forward and donate money everyday for the purpose of serving tea, snacks and food to security personnel.

"We will continue to make such arrangements for security personnel till they are here," Suresh Soni, a resident of the Beghu area, said.