Even though a section of society has been raising eyebrows over the Pizza langar and makeshift gym that youngsters have started at the protest sites in Delhi, the pictures of which has gone viral on social sites recently. However, paying no heed to netizens reactions, the supporters of farmers are leaving no stone unturned in aiding the protesters.
Tejinder Pal Singh, a Mansa-based social activist, who earlier had been running a campaign to promote mother tongue among youngsters, children and residents, has now reached Singhu border and have started ‘Turban Langar’ for the protesters.
He along with other members of the “Turban Bank” (a free turban service started by Tejinder only) from Doaba region is not only distributing the turbans but are also organising a turban-tying camp at the protest site. The group has already distributed over 3,000 turbans. He said atleast 2000 turbans were distributed at the Tikri border, while 1000 were distributed at the Singhu border.
“For Sikhs, turban is an identity, a symbol of spirituality, pride and honour. A Sikh can give up his life for his turban. It is a symbol of unity and integrity for the community. Hence, we are receiving an overwhelming response. Not just Punjabis, even people of Haryana, MP, UP are showing great interest in learning how to tie a turban”, he said.
He further added that through this turban tying camp and free distribution of turbans, their sole motive is to help protesters as turban covers your ears fully and save you from the nail-biting cold. Besides, the one who wears turban get a different confidence in him as this ‘Pagg’ (turban) is the gift to Sikh community from our tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’, he said.
Another, Harwinder Singh and Satwant Singh, the Jalandhar-based turban bank members, are helping Tejinder by holding the camp as they have the perfect turban-tying skills. Harwinder said: “Besides easy methods, we teach how to tie Patiala Sahi, Amritsar Sahi, Morni and Parna turbans.”
“Interestingly, farmers from Haryana, UP and Rajasthan at the protest sites are equally taking interest in proudly flaunting a turban around their head”, they added.
Meanwhile, Tejinder is a postgraduate and BEd in Punjabi language. Talking to the Truescoop, he said he aims to teach everyone Punjabi as it’s the most beautiful language in the world. “I feel sad seeing that English is being given more importance in schools and Punjabi is neglected,” he said, adding that he was not against Hindi or English or any other language but all he wants was people in the state should know how to read, write and speak Punjabi and should never hesitate communicating in their mother tongue.
“These days’ schools, colleges are closed, so I am not able to continue my campaign of promoting mother language. Also, even if school, colleges, were open, I would have preferred visiting the protest site first to support the annadatas, as without them we are nothing”, he added.