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Journalism of Courage
In an awe-inspiring display of determination, two men who had lost the use of an arm were among the ‘kar sewaks’ or volunteers who turned up to repair the breach in Dhussi Bandh (earthen embankment) on the Sutlej River. The work has been underway for the past three days in Mandala Chhanna village in Jalandhar.
Throughout the day, they engaged in a multitude of tasks that most physically fit individuals would struggle to complete, lifting sandbags, iron rods, and even making langar or community meals. The Dhussi Bandh on Sutlej, which had two major breaches on Monday following heavy rain, saw water flowing out on Tuesday and entering over three dozen villages in Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts, flooding houses and inundating thousands of acres of fields.
Manjit Singh, a resident of Midda village in Muktsar Sahib, who is in his mid-forties, lost his left hand after an electrocution accident in 2019. He was among those who had turned up for the repair work in Mandala Chhanna. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said, “I was working in the Indian Army and retired in 2018. Since then, I have been engaged in farming as our family owns 15 acres of land.” Despite the loss of his hand, he continues to work in the fields just as he did before. “One needs to adapt, and I have learned to do so. I don’t even feel like I have lost my hand,” he added.
Manjit and a group of around 25 youths from his village arrived in Dhussi Bandh Tuesday after learning about the floods in Jalandhar. He explained, “Last year, our village was also flooded due to overflowing drains and breached canals. At that time, MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and his team of ‘kar sewaks’ came to our village, providing assistance in the form of food, fodder for cattle, drinking water and other support. Now, it is our turn to repay the favour.”
Balwinder Singh Bittu, who hails from Malang Shahwala village in Ferozepur district’s Zira Tehsil, lost his right hand some years ago but it did little to break his determination. “Along with other ‘kar sewaks’ from our village, I arrived here on Tuesday to set up a langar, ensuring that everyone working for or visiting the bandh does not go hungry,” he said.
Despite his own challenges, he selflessly focuses on meeting the needs of others, serving food, tea and water with grace and warmth.
Anmol Singh, another ‘kar sewak’, was all praise for the two. “Even physically fit individuals get inspired on seeing these extraordinary souls who exhibit a sense of normalcy while defying the odds,” he said.
Seechewal, meanwhile, expressed his admiration for these ‘kar sewaks’ in the face of adversity, stating, “I salute these individuals for their humanity. They demonstrate that our mindset determines how we approach challenges and how we can make a positive impact on the world.”
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