Sikh man named 'Australian of the Day' for feeding homeless

MELBOURNE: An Indian-origin Sikh migrant driver in Australia has been named 'Australian of the Day' for feeding the homeless in Darwin for the past three years.

Tejinder Pal Singh has dedicated the last Sunday of the month to feed the poor and homeless locals of northern Darwin after he finishes his shift as a cabbie.

He cooks up 30 kilogrammes of Indian cuisine to feed the homeless after his night shift.

The free lunch that Singh offers comprises chickpeas, rice and vegetarian curry.

"I do something for homeless people, so they get more energy so they're happy. My religion says 10 per cent of income goes toward needy and poor people - no matter (whether) they belong to your religion or any religion," Singh was quoted as saying by local media.

"I do something for homeless people, so they get more energy so they're happy," he said.

His van carries a signature written as 'Free Indian food for hungry and needy people, Provide Sikh family.'

Commonwealth Bank has sponsored the Australian of the Year Awards for over 35 years, recognising extraordinary Australians who have made a big difference to the country.