The farmers’ protest has reached 22nd day, as after several rounds of talks between the government and the farmers’ unions have not found any conclusion. Amid the cold wave and away from home, the agitating farmers have got different ways to help each other and those living around the protest site, through community kitchens, medical services or libraries. Many individuals and organisations have reached various protest points to serve thesis agitators by offering them food, blankets and heaters.
In one such case, a group of farmers from Punjab's Anandpur Sahib initiated an 'informal school' in a temporary tent for local slum children at the Singhu border on Monday.
Writer Bir Singh and advocate Dinesh Chaddha have started this temporary school as a part of the multiple 'Sewa' practices being offered at the protest site, where thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and UP have been demonstrating since late November.
Satnam Singh, a volunteer said, "Everything here is "Sewa". We saw so many children from neighbouring slums roaming around for food, and thought why not also help them keep engaged constructively.”
Satnam said that educated individuals among the farmers, who have Bachelor's or PhD degrees, have been teaching the children around 60-70 children across all age groups, who come there every day to read, write, draw and listen to stories and these children have been furnished with storybooks in Hindi.
Satnam Singh said, "The first day we had to encourage them to come and study here by giving them fruit juice and snacks, but over the last two days, they have been coming on their own, and have brought their friends too.”
A similar facility has been established at the Tikri border protest location as well.
During the evening the tent is used to recreate a tradition -- "Sanjhi Sath" -- from back home - where the villagers gather to listen to their elders' advice.
Also Read: 'Khap Mahapanchayat' at Singhu border, strategy to support farmers
Farmers have continued their protest at Delhi's Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur borders braving the cold weather demanding to repeal the three new farm laws.
Farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, have been protesting against the recently enacted Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020; and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.