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Case Studies-- Deep Chand About the Inmates

 

I  could not have survived….. 

Seva is an important part of a Sikh’s life. Countless Sikhs taking guidance from their rich heritage carry out selfless service which most of the people may consider as none of their business. This includes tasks which require effort, money and certain amount of risk. To pick up a grievously injured man from the roadside and drive 200 Kms to Pingalwara to ensure that he survives needs faith and conviction that only a Gursikh can have. 

20 years old Deep Chand belongs to Bihar. He comes to Punjab like lacs of other Biharis to earn some money. He says “We only get paid Rs. 25 for a days work in Bihar, whereas we receive at least Rs.80 in Punjab for the same work.” 

Deep Chand works for about 10 months in a year; saves some money and goes home to return again. He has been doing this for the last three years. There was plenty of work so he had started working extra time. After working for 12-14 hours he was too tired to cook his own meal so he would eat a little from the wayside food shop but it was never enough. One day late in the evening he was returning to his room which he shared with six other workers. He was not feeling well and wanted to reach his room as quickly as possible.  

On the way he found that the road was being repaired and the stones were scattered all over the place. A drum of coal tar was being heated up which Deep Chand never saw in the dark. The only thing he remembers is that he fell down and felt that he was burning all over. When he became conscious again he felt that someone was trying to lift him.  

Swaran Singh has his fields close to where the road was being prepared. He is a conscientious worker and through his hard work and clean habits makes a good living. He was crossing the road with his tractor trolley when he saw some one lying on the roadside in his headlights. As smoke was rising from the place where the person was lying he became a little curious. Focusing his headlights on the person he got down from the tractor and approached the spot. To his utter surprise he found a man severely burnt and lying unconscious.

From the uneven breathing of the man he could make out that he was alive. He wasted no time in picking up the man and taking him to the nearest doctor. After examining the burns the doctor told Swaran Singh that the patient was not in imminent danger but would need prolonged treatment and care. Swaran Singh knew that he could not provide the specialist care and treatment and it has to be done by a hospital. But no hospital would admit him without a ward and money for the medicines. The only place where he could think of putting him was Pingalwara. Having made up his mind he hired a taxi and brought Deep Chand to Pingalwara.  

 

Deep Chand was burnt so badly that it took one year for him to recover. “I could not have survived if  Sardar ji had not brought me to Pingalwara.” He says gratefully. A smiling Deep Chand boarded a train for his home on 4th Feburary, 2006. He promises to return to Punjab in a few weeks time for work again.