Known all across the globe for their altruistic deeds, the Sikh community has now come forward to ensure reverent goodbyes for COVID victims in Lucknow. On Wednesday, the Lucknow Gurudwara Prabhandhak Committee (LGPC) started a free hearse service, in collaboration with Ummeed and Insaniyat Foundations, two social organisations from the city. Amidst the pandemic, the community has also been involved in the free distribution of necessities through food and mask langar in other parts of the state too.
2 vans operational in the city as of now!
After a prayer meeting on Wednesday, the facility was opened for the public by the organisers. This initiative attempts to assure safe and respectful cremation of individuals who succumbed to the COVID virus.
When the families feel reluctant to bid the last farewell to their loved ones in these extraordinary times, these compassionate souls have shouldered the responsibility of doing so. Currently, two vans are functional in the city under this program to help the families, as and when required. Further, the gurudwara authorities have issued a list of numbers to contact the volunteers.
PPE kit, masks and sanitisers available for the volunteers
“The service is free of cost and the vans are equipped with essential protective equipment such as PPE kit, masks and sanitisers for the safety of the volunteers as well as families of the deceased. As soon as we get the information about a patient having died, we reach the destination, carry the deceased and family members who are willing to join us and leave for the cremation ground where we help families in performing the last rites. In case of no family member, we perform the last rites. On the first day we received a few calls from South City and adjoining areas,” informed Harpal Singh Jaggi, president, Gurdwara Sadar (Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha).
As a part of this program, facilities will be available between 10 AM and 5 PM. One official also stated that volunteers from different faiths have participated to run this service.
