Ludhiana, May 27
The Ludhiana Citizens’ Council (regd), an NGO, has been serving the poor people of the society, as well as sick, chronic patients, infirm and invalids since the riots of 1984. A handful of people, seeing the angst and fundamentalism of the two communities during terrorism in Punjab, decided to float the Ludhiana Citizens’ Council with an aim to promote unity among the communities and provide service to the humanity as they felt that ‘manukhta di sewa sab tu uttam sewa'.
Mr Darshan Arora, chairman, Ludhiana Citizens’ Council, said, ‘‘Our resolution for this new term is to adopt two poor villages of Ludhiana district and provide two teachers so that the children there can avail free education. Moreover, we want to build night shelters for the homeless children who sleep on roads and are easy prey to organised gangs. These children have either run away from their homes due to extreme harrowing conditions or have been rendered orphans. These children always live in fear of being molested, ’’.
Mr K.S.
Kelly, secretary general of the council, says, ‘‘It was human misery that prompted the members of the Ludhiana Citizens’ Council to formulate a programme whereby the ailing and the distressed persons in society could be given timely help in the form of medicines, free of cost. We got together and founded medical-aid bank. This concept flourished and a team of dedicated volunteers joined. Qualified doctors offered their services. Medical aid even for cancer, TB and the patients with heart ailment is provided. Expensive medicines have been donated by philanthropists.’’
‘‘Whether it is war time, troubled time or peace time the LCC is always there to help. During terrorism days, we tried to reduce the rift between Sikhs and Hindus by organising joint gurpurabs. We tried to be a bridge between administration and the people. Through our efforts hundreds of people got redressal of their problems,’’ said Mr Bhagwan Singh, convener.
Notable among their activities was organisation of Baba Sehgal night in the troubled days. Eighty families of police personnel were given Rs 5,000 each from the proceeds. Film star Sri Devi’s show was held which reaped a rich harvest and the council collected Rs 25 lakhs. The sum was utilised in raising houses on the Chandigarh Road for the police widows.
During the Kargil war, the LCC was the only organisation permitted to supply mineral water, biscuits, socks, mufflers to the soldiers. Their 100 volunteers were there at the station to cheer up the soldiers. Colonel Sodhi, who had given them the permission, said that the soldiers really appreciated the act.
The youth wing of the LCC, a 1000-member strong unit, has 600 regular blood donors on its list. The directory of blood donors has been provided to each hospital and the donors can be summoned any time. The youth wing has also chalked out plans of making Ludhiana clean. They want to help the traffic to run smoothly. They often hold traffic camps and distribute pamphlets showing traffic signals. The LCC has donated an ambulance to traffic police for accident victims on the roads.
The LCC also helps poor students by awarding scholarships. The president, Mr Agya Pal says, ‘‘We want a national awakening among the people.’’
