Amritsar: Amid the devastation caused by floods in Nepal, the country’s small Sikh community has stepped up to support relief and rehabilitation efforts. Despite its limited numbers and resources, the community has emerged as a crucial link between flood victims and foreign Sikh organisations engaged in relief work across the affected regions.Chet Prasad Lamsal, alias Gurbaksh Singh Lamsal, who embraced Sikhism at the age of 17, said on Friday that sewadars at gurdwaras across Nepal were extending whatever assistance they could to those affected by the disaster. More importantly, they were helping foreign Sikh organisations navigate language barriers and reach remote, flood-hit areas.Currently in the United States for medical treatment, Lamsal said he remained in constant touch with gurdwaras in Nepal and was advising community members on the support required for ongoing relief operations.Pritam Singh, former president of the Gurdwara Guru Nanak Satsang Samiti in Kupondole, Lalitpur district, said the local Sikh community had made extensive arrangements for volunteers and representatives of overseas Sikh groups involved in relief efforts. Apart from arranging accommodation, community members are preparing langar for the visiting volunteers, who then carry the food and other relief supplies to people in need in affected areas.“We are a small community with limited resources, but we are doing everything possible to support the visiting Sikh organisations and help them carry out their relief work,” said Pritam Singh. He said Nepal’s Sikh population is estimated at around 200, with five gurdwaras currently operational in the country.Speaking about the ongoing relief operations, Lamsal said the local Sikh community would continue contributing in whatever way it could. However, its primary role would remain facilitating the work of foreign Sikh organisations by arranging accommodation, preparing langar, and providing local volunteers to guide relief teams to affected areas and assist in the distribution of aid.“Though our resources are limited, our commitment is not. We will continue to support relief efforts and help ensure assistance reaches those who need it most,” he said.
